LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Shelf JW &2. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






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4<r- 33* 



TEXT-BOOK 



OF THE 

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH KITE 

OF 

FREEMASONRY 

FOR VERMONT, 

CONTAINING LESSONS TAUGHT IN ALL OF THE DEGREES FROM THE 

FOURTH TO THE THIRTY-SECOND, 

INCLUSIVE. 

THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN TAKEN FEOM THE WORKS OF 
THE BEST AUTHORS, AND 

COMPILED IN A CONDENSED FORM BY 



:s * 



DANIEL NORRIS NICHOLSON, 32°, 



COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF VERMONT CONSISTORY. 



PUBLISHED BY 

VERMONT CONSISTORY, . r , 

s.-.p.-.r.-.s.-. ^u>i>ii>y 






COPYRIGHTED 

A. d. 1893 a. M. 5653. 

BY 
VERMONT CONSISTORY, 

BURLINGTON, VERMONT. 
S.\P.\R.\S.\ 



The Free Press Association, Printers and Binders. 



TO ILLUSTRIOUS BROTHER, 

GEORGE OTIS TYLER, 33 , 

ACTIVE MEMBER AND GRAND CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD 
OF THE 

SUPREME COUNCIL 

OF 

SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL 

FOR THE 

NORTHERN MASONIC JURISDICTION. 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

AND 

PAST ILLUSTRIOUS DEPUTY OF VERMONT, 

THIS WORK 

is respectfully dedicated, as a token of sincere admiration for his 

excellent qualities as a man and a Mason, and in recognition of his 

untiring and successful efforts in establishing the bodies of the 

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE 

IN THE 

GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE. 




KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE, 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Preface 9 

Introductory 11 

Explanatory 13 

First iSeries. Symbolic Degrees 19 

Jacob's Ladder 20 

Second Series. Ineffable Degrees 21 

Mosaic Pavement 22 

Fourth Degree. "Secret Master" 23 

Fifth Degree. "Perfect Master" 27 

Time, the Broken Column 28 

The Hour Glass 32 

Sixth Degree. "Intimate Secretary" 33 

K. -.S.-. Audience Chamber. _. 34 

Justice 38 

Seventh Degree. "Provost and Judge' 1 39 

Middle Chamber 40 

Eighth Degree. "Intendant of the Buildings" 43 

The Temple Unfinished 44 

The Outer Door 48 

Ninth Degree. "Knights Elect of Nine" 49 

The Inner Door 50 

Tenth Degree. "Knights Elect of Fifteen" 53 

Sea Coast of Joppa . 54 

Eleventh Degree. "Sublime Knights Elected" 57 

All-Seeing Eye 58 

Twelfth Degree. "Grand Master Architect" 61 

Grand Master Architect 62 

Orders of Architecture 64 

Thirteenth Degree. "Knights of the Ninth Arch" 65 

Fourteenth Degree. Gr. -.Elect Perfect and Sublime 

Mason" . 69 

Planting the Sprig of Acacia - 70 

Third Series. Historical Degrees _ 75 

Crown of King Darius 76 



Fifteenth Degree. ' 'Knight of the East and Sword". _ . 79 

Sixteenth Degree. "Prince of Jerusalem" 85 

The Three Lesser Lights and Three Dots 86 

Fourth Series. Philosophical Degrees. 89 

The Pillars of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty 90 

The Holy Bible 92 

Seventeenth Degree. "Knight of the East and West" 93 

The Cross 94 

The Grave 98 

Eighteenth Degree. "Knight of the Rose Croix" 99 

Pot of Incense 100 

Fifth Series. Historical and Philosophical Degrees 107 

Nineteenth Degree. " Grand Pontifi" 111 

Twentieth Degree. Gr. -.Master of all Symbolic Lodges 115 

The Three Steps 116 

Twenty-first Degree. "Noachite or Prussian Knight" 121 

Anchor and Ark 122 

Twenty-Second Degree. "Knight of the Royal Axe" 125 

Twenty-Third Degree. "Chief of the Tabernacle" "129 

The Tabernacle 130 

Twentv-Fourth Degree. "Prince of the Tabernacle". _ 133 
Twenty-Fifth Degree. "Knight of the Brazen^Serpent" 139 

Twenty-Sixth Degree. "Prince of Mercy" 145 

Pillars of the Porch 146 

Pillars Typefied 150 

Twenty-Seventh Degree. "Knight Commander of the 

Temple" I . 151 

Twenty-Eighth Degree. "Knight of the Sun" 155 

Twenty-Ninth Degree. "Knight of St. Andrew" 161 

Sixth Series. "Chivalric Degrees" 167 

Thirtieth Degree. "Knight Kadosh" 171 

Prayer of Jacques De Molay 172 

Thirty-First Degree. "Gr. -.Inspector Inquisitor Com- 
mander" 175 

Thirty-Second Degree. "Sublime Prince" 1 181 

Masonic Camp 182 

Thirty-Third Degree. "Sovereign Gr. \Insp. General" 191 



PBEFACE. 

In presenting this text-book to the Scottish Rite Masons 
of Vermont, the Compiler does not claim it to be original, 
but a volume of material taken from the works of the best 
authors, who have given the Brethren of the Rite the ben- 
efit of their incessant study, and practical familiarity with 
the exemplification of the work. For this, fraternal ac- 
knowledgment is here made. 

In availing himself of this valuable instruction, it has 
been his intention to select the wisest and most important 
teachings and give them in a condensed form, supplemented 
by, and interspersed with, such explanations and connecting 
links as in his opinion would make the beautiful lessons 
taught in each degree so plain that " he who runs may 
read." He has endeavored to place the necessary monito- 
rial information in such a limited space as will enable even 
the Brother who has the least time at his command, to learn 
the meaning of that which he passed through in the cere- 
monies of the degrees, and also to simplify the instruction 
to the candidate while being advanced. 

There has been no attempt to describe the Lodges,Courts, 
Chapters or Colleges, or to explain the Jewels and Cos- 
tumes of the officers, except so far as it has been necessary 
in order to bring out the true intent and purpose of the 
different grades. 



10 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A.*. RITE. 

Thanks are due and are hereby tendered to Illustrious 
Brother George Otis Tyler, 33°, Active Member and Grand 
Captain of the Guard of the Supreme Council for the 
^Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and Past Illustrious Deputy 
of this District, for his wise guidance and timely sugges- 
tions in the preparation of this work. 

Trusting that this book will be of practical value, and 
meet the approval of the members of the Rite in this State, 
for whose use it is intended, and of Vermont Consistory, by 
the authority of which it has been printed, it is herewith 
courteously and fraternally submitted. 

Daniel N orris Nicholson, 32°, 

Commander-in- Chief ] 

Yevmont Consistory. 



INTKODUCTOKY. 

That we live in an age of improvement and progression 
there is abundant evidence. Through the continued mercy 
of that wonderful Providence, that guards and cares for us 
so tenderly from infancy to age, we are permitted to go on 
from year to year, to meet again and again in friendly com- 
munion, and to behold that each succeeding year has been 
fraught with new political, social and moral developments 
for the better. 

We have witnessed mighty displays of the power of 
mind over matter in the exposition of every science and 
art in the whole category of human knowledge. 

We have been astonished at the wonderful strides of 
progress in almost every conceivable branch of human in- 
dustry, reaching out its unsatisfied hand for the same ma- 
terial in substance but in more compact form, to take the 
place of that which has subserved its purpose well in time 
gone by, when not so much was required to be accomplished 
in so short a period, but by the use of which we cannot 
compete with the demands of the present. In the busy 
whirl of this enlightened age the average Mason has not the 
opportunity to wade through numerous pages of history in 
order to satisfy his inquiring mind upon any subject which 
is susceptible of explanation in fewer words. These facts 
have suggested the formulation and introduction of this 
work. 



12 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AXD A.*. RITE. 

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Eite Masonry, not un- 
like Ancient Craft Masonry, wisely recognizes the right 
of every man to enjoy his own particular religion and po- 
litical faith. On this principle it unites men of every 
country, sect and opinion. 

The symbols and ceremonies envelop the great primi- 
tive truths known to the first men who lived, and illustrate 
and explain the principles of Christianity, leaving everyone 
to interpret them as seems to him most reasonable and 
right. 

A belief in God, however, is one of the Ancient Land- 
marks of the Order, requiring no regulation or statutory 
law for its confirmation. Such a belief results from the 
very nature of the Masonic Institution, and is set forth in 
the rituals of the Order as one of the very first prerequi- 
sites to the ceremony of initiation. This Divine Being, the 
Creator of heaven and earth, is particularly viewed in 
Masonry in his character as the Great Master Builder of 
the Worlds, and is hence Masonically addressed as the 
Grand Architect of the Universe. 

The fundamental law of Masonry requires only a belief 
in God and in a future life, while it says, with peculiar 
toleration, that in all other matters of religious belief 
Masons are only expected to be of that religion in which 
all men agree. Under the shelter of this wise provision, 
the Christian and the Jew, the Mohammedan and the 
Brahmin, are permitted to unite around our common altar, 
and Masonry becomes, in practice as in theory, Universal. 



EXPLANATORY. 



A.\A.\S.\K. 



In the classification of the degrees of the Ancient and 
Accepted Scottish Rite, there are six series, not including 
that of Inspector General, or 33d degree. 

t 

THE FIRST SERIES 

is composed of the three Symbolic Degrees : Entered Ap- 
prentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, which are con- 
ferred in Symbolic Lodges. 

THE SECOND SERIES 

is composed of the 

ELEVEN INEFFABLE DEGREES. 

1. Secret Master. 

5. Perfect Master. 

6. Intimate Secretary. 

7. Provost and Judge. 

8. Intendant of the Buildings. 

9. Knights Elect of Nine. 

10. Knights Elect of Fifteen. 

11. Sublime Knights Elected. 



14 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A.*. KITE. 

12. Grand Master Architect. 

13. Eoyal Arch of Enoch. 

14. Grand, Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason, and are 
conferred in Lodges of Perfection. 

THE THIRD SEKIES 

is composed of the 

TWO HISTORICAL DEGREES. 

15. Knight of the East and Sword. 

16. Prince of Jerusalem. 

And are conferred in Councils of Princes of Jerusalem. 

THE FOURTH SERIES 

is composed of the 

TWO PHILOSOPHICAL DEGREES. 

1 7. Knight of the East and West. 

18. Knight of the Eose-Croix de H-E-D-M. 
These are conferred in Eose-Croix Chapters. 

THE FIFTH SERIES 

comprises the Areopagus or the 

ELEVEN HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL DEGREES. 

19. Grand Pontiff. 

20. Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges. 

21. Noachite or Prussian Knight. 



EXPLANATORY. 1 5 

22. Knight of the Royal Axe. 

23. Chief of the Tabernacle. 
2L Prince of the Tabernacle. 

25. Knight of the Brazen Serpent. 

26. Prince of Mercy. 

27. Knight Commander of the Temple. 

28. Knight of the Sun. 

29. Knight of St. Andrew or Patriarch of the Cru- 

sades. 
All of which are conferred under the authority of 
Consistories. 

THE SIXTH SERIES 

is composed of the 

THREE CHIVALRIC DEGREES. 

30. Grand Elect Knight Kadosh. 

31. Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander. 

32. Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. 
And are conferred in Consistories. 

The Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors 
General of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the 
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic 
Jurisdiction of the United States of America, is the Su- 
preme power of the Rite. 

It is founded upon, and governed by, the Regulations 
of 1762, the Constitutions of 1786, as modified, and the un- 
written principles and Landmarks of Freemasonry. 



16 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.*. RITE. 

While the three Symbolic degrees, viz : Entered Ap- 
prentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason commence the 
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in this Jurisdiction 
all authority over them is waived by the Supreme Council, 
and they are exclusively administered by Blue or Symbolic 
Lodges under the direction of the Grand Lodge of each 
State. In foreign countries they are given in Lodges of 
Perfection, while here they are pre-requisites and must be 
received in a regular and legally constituted Symbolic 
Lodge before admission can be gained into the A.*. A.*. S.\ 
Rite, as the fundamental principles of Freemasonry are 
there taught. 

The First degree is typical of youth, the Second repre- 
sents the stage of manhood ; while the former is directed in 
all its symbols and allegorical ceremonies to the purifica- 
tion of the heart, the latter is intended by its lessons to cul- 
tivate the reasoning faculties and improve the intellectual 
powers. 

The Third degree is symbolic of old age, and the scope 
and aim of its ritual is to teach the immortality of the soul 
and the doctrine of the resurrection to a future life. 

The legend recites the particulars of the tragic death 
of H.\A.\ one of our Ancient Grand Masters, the capture 
and punishment of his assassins, the recovery of his body, 
the burial, and the erection of a monument to mark his 
resting place. 



EXPLANATORY. 17 

The Ineffable degrees, begin with the 4th or Secret 
Master and conclude with the 14th or degree of Perfection, 
the history of which reiterates practically what we have 
learned in the second section of the 3d degree with refer- 
ence to H.\A.\ It continues the period of mourning, un- 
folds the mystery as to whom took the place of the Master 
Builder made vacant by his death, after the period of 
mourning had passed, to forward the completion of the 
Temple, and recites many other important particulars. 

In the Ineffable degrees every lesson taught is con- 
nected directly or indirectly with our dearest interest in 
this or in a future world. The whole system tends to pro- 
mote the glory of God and the good of mankind. 

In the Symbolic degrees these things are taught gen- 
erally. In the Ineffable and Sitblime degrees, in detail. 
These degrees are called Ineffable because they treat of the 
Ineffable name of the Great Jehovah and of His Ineffable es- 
sence. Every one of them inculcates a moral lesson and the 
practice of some particular virtue. 

" No body of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite can 
be closed without passing the Box of Fraternal Assistance, 
and any member wishing to retire before being called upon 
by the Grand Hospitaller must deposit his contribution in 
the box which is provided and placed near the seat of the 
Junior Warden." 

" The amount collected is under the immediate charge 



18 



TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A.'. RITE. 



of the Grand Hospitaller or Almoner, and is dispensed by 
him with the consent of the presiding officer, — first to a 
worthy distressed Brother ; or if there be none such, then to 
some needy and deserving profane ; in either case not per- 
mitting the recipient to know from what source the relief 
comes." 

Nor can any of the bodies be opened or closed with- 
out the presiding officer reciting or reading the formula, 
Article 100 of the Constitutions of the Supreme Council, 
" To the glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe 
etc., etc." 





FIRST SERIES 



The degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and 
Master Mason, are conferred in Symbolic Lodges, and refer- 
ence to them here is not deemed essential. 





" And now abidetli faith, hope, charity, these three ; 
but the greatest of these is charity." 



SECOND SERIES. 



The Ineffable Degrees, 4th to 14th, 
inclusive. 




MOSAIC PAVEMENT. 




The Mosaic Pavement is an old symbol of Free- 
masonry . It is met with in the earliest rituals of the last 
century. It is classed among the ornaments of the Lodge 
in combination with the Indented Tessel and the Blazing- 
Star. Its parti-colored stones of black and white have 
been readily and appropriately interpreted as symbols of 
the evil and good of human life. 



FOURTH DEGREE, 





Secret Master. 




THE FOITKTH DEGREE. 

SECRET MASTER. 

The Lodge of Secret Masters represents the Holy 
Place or Sanctuary of the Temple. 

We are taught as Secret Masters the duty of secrecy 
or silence and fidelity. 

This degree originated immediately after the assassina- 
tion of Hiram, the builder. 

The King of Israel selected seven of the most worthy 
and expert brethren Master Masons, to guard the Sanctum 
Sanctorum, and called them Secret Masters. 

Adoniram was instructed to cause to be erected a tomb 
or obelisk of white and black marble wherein were depos- 
ited the embalmed remains of our lamented Grand Master 
H.\A.\ The white marble to denote his innocence and pu- 
rity, and the black, the untimely death of him we mourn. 

No working tools are used in this Lodge for the reason 
that the labors on the Temple were suspended after the 
death of Hiram the builder. 

The candidate in this degree represents one who by 
wisdom, fidelity and zeal, seeks to gain admission into the 

2 



26 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A. '.RITE. 

secret vault and view some of the treasures and contem- 
plate the pillar of beauty. To do this he must gain the 
favor of the guardians of the Sanctum Sanctorum, in assur- 
ing them that he is capable of performing the duty of 
Secrecy and Silence. He is also taught the important les- 
son, that no man should aspire to that for which he is un- 
fitted, nor assume a burden which he cannot bear, neither 
should any assume duties lightly and afterwards neglect 
them. 

Freemasonry is an allegorical system. Every doctrine 
and ceremony has its mystical reference. The true Mason 
will not rest satisfied with mere ceremonies which in them- 
selves are cold and heartless, but will study to comprehend 
their mystical signification. 

We, as Ineffable Masons retain and continue to practice 
these signs and symbols, because we believe they work 
closer into our hearts than words and prompt us to a 
more faithful performance of duty. 

Duty is with us always inflexible as fate. It rises 
with us in the morning, and watches by our pillow at night. 
In the roar of the city and in the loneliness of the desert, 
duty is as imperative as destiny. 

Having by zeal, fidelity and constancy gained admis- 
sion into the Secret or Holy Place and received the favor 
of viewing some of the treasures, we must never neglect 
duty if we expect to gain an entrance into the Holy of 
Holies, prepared for us from the foundation of the world. 



FIFTH DEGREE 





Perfect Master. 



" I am the agent of a Higher power to give life and to 
take it away." 




" The soul's dark Cottage, battered and decayed, 
Lets in new light through chinks that Time has made. 
Stronger by weakness, wiser men become 
As they draw near to their eternal home : 
Leaving the old, both worlds at once they view 
That stand upon the threshold of the new." 




FIFTH DEGREE. 

PERFECT MASTER. 

The solemn ceremonies of this degree, are intended to 
represent and recall to mind the grateful tribute of respect 
we owe to the memory of a departed worthy brother. 

The battery is four raps and denotes life, death, virtue 
and immortality. 

The clothing is a black robe and hood drawn over the 
head, apron, collar, jewel and white gloves, bordered with 
black. 

The ceremony was originally established to commem- 
orate the death of our Grand Master H.\A..\, whose labors 
at the building of the first Temple and whose tragical 
death furnish so much of the mystical knowledge of 
Ancient Craft Masonry. 

It is retained by us that it may be improved as a les- 
son, both useful and instructive. Let us look forward to 
brighter scenes, when our deceased Brother, who had been 
smitten down by the resistless hand of death, shall be raised 



30 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A.*. RITE. 

from his prostrate state at the word of our Supreme Grand 
Master, and admitted into the Perfect Lodge above. 

It was sometime after the death of our Grand Master 
H. *.A. -.before King Solomon was informed that the body 
was found. 

The perpetrators of the horrid deed were not at this 
time discovered and it was not certain but that they might 
have the hardihood and effrontery to mingle with the 
Brethren, and seem to join in the general grief, in order to 
better conceal their guilt and prevent suspicion. King 
Solomon, being anxious to ascertain the truth of the matter, 
caused a muster of all the workmen to be made, but the 
assassins did not appear. 

King Solomon was, however, happy to have the poor 
consciousness of having found the precious remains of so 
great and good a man as H.\ A.*, and having an opportunity 
of paying a just tribute to his memory, and ordered the 
noble Adoniram to make suitable arrangements for his in- 
terment, and to furnish a plan for a superb tomb or obelisk 
of white and black marble. The plan was accepted and 
the work finished. On examination K.\ S.\ was struck with 
astonishment and admiration. He raised his eyes and 
hands to heaven and exclaimed, " It is accomplished and 
complete ? " 

In this grade the Lodge of Sorrow is held, and the 
funeral ceremonies of all of the Sublime degrees are per- 



5° PERFECT MASTER. 31 

formed. In the preceding degree, our travels were to re- 
mind ns of the journey of human life in which Freemason- 
ry is an enlightened and beautiful path. Our present 
march is gloomy. Our Grand Master is no more. Death 
reigns in all the portions of our time and calls upon us to 
look and see how Time is ever preparing the grave where 
we must lay our sins and our sorrows. Death summons 
away in the midst of his usefulness, many a beloved Brother 
of our Craft. 

We behold his sun at meridian and rejoice at its 
brightness, but alas ! it soon sets and the evening shades of 
existence close around him forever. 

Let us then imitate the example of our Illustrious 
Grand Master H.\ A.'., and by a wise and virtuous life make 
the best preparation for a peaceful death. 



"Once, when full of life, he never 
Proved unfaithful to our laws ; 

Zealous, like him be we ever, 
To rjromote the .glorious cause." 



" Behold how swiftly the sands run and how rapidly 
our lives are drawing to a close." 




" To every man upon this earth 
Death cometh soon or late ; 
And how can man die better 
Than facing fearful odds 
For the ashes of his fathers 
And the temples of his gods ?" 



SIXTH DEGREE. 





Intimate Secretary. 




K.'.S.-. AUDIENCE CHAMBER. 



SIXTH DEGKEE. 



INTIMATE SECRETARY. 



The legend of this degree relates to an incident which 
occurred in King Solomon's Audience Chamber, which the 
Lodge represents, upon the supposition of the King of 
Tyre that a spy or eavesdropper had been stationed to watcli 
his movements at the time of his complaint that the King 
of Israel had violated his promise. The life of the supposed 
spy was saved by the intercession of King Solomon, and uj> 
on examination, his zeal and trustworthiness, were rewarded 
by his becoming the witness to a new compact. 

The ceremony is exciting, and impressive of the lesson 
intended to be taught, viz : that we should be ever careful 
never to offend a brother by prying into his secrets; that, 
Masonically speaking, eavesdropping is criminal, and "a soft 
answer turneth away wrath." 

The history of the degree informs us that K.\S.\had 
covenanted with H/.K/.of Tyre to furnish him measures of 
oil and honey, besides the grant of twenty cities, in exchange 
for timbers hewn in the forest of Libanus, as well as for the 



36 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

stones hewn in the quarries of Tyre, for use in the building 
of the Temple. 

King Hiram went to see the cities and found barren 
and sandy soil, almost unpopulated, the few that remained 
being a rude and uncultivated class. He determined to go 
in person to Jerusalem and expostulate with K/.S.'.for 
breaking the spirit of his promise. 

Arriving at Jerusalem he entered the palace without 
waiting to be announced, angrily passing the guard into the 
Audience Chamber, where he found K.\ S.\ mourning over 
the death of H.\ A.*. Joabert, the favorite of K.\S.\, newly 
appointed Lieutenant of the Guards, seeing King Hiram 
enter in such rage, and not knowing him, approached the 
door to be ready to defend his master should there be occa- 
sion. He was seen by King Hiram, who, thinking him a 
spy, seized and would have slain him but for the inter- 
ference of his own sovereign. 

King Solomon explained to King Hiram that he had 
intended to rebuild the cities and to furnish the fields with 
husbandmen before giving them to him. He also in- 
formed him that of all the favorites and lords of his court, 
Joabert had alwa} r s evinced the warmest attachment to his 
person, and that the indiscretion he had been guilty of was 
not to gratify idle curiosity, but to watch over his safety and 
interest. 



6° INTIMATE SECRETARY. 37 

The K/.of T. -.pardoned him and the two kings renewed 
their alliance, which was to be perpetual, with mutual prom- 
ises of fidelity, and Joabert was selected confidential sec- 
retary in place of H.\ A.'., deceased. From this circumstance 
originated the degree of Intimate Secretary. 

Thus we are taught to be zealous and faithful — to be 
disinterested and benevolent — to act the peacemaker in case 
of dissensions, disputes and quarrels among our brethren, 
and to beware of eavesdropping. 



" Ah, when shall all men's good 
Be each man's rule, and universal peace 
Lie like a shaft of light across the land, 
And like a lane of beams athwart the sea 
Thro' all the circle of the golden year.' 







" Xo man need covet the office of Judge, for in assum- 
ing it he takes upon himself the most serious and oppres- 
sive responsibility." 



"Let the unjust Judge tremble, for God will smite 
him with the sharp sword of his wrath. Let the unqualified, 
who usurps the seat of judgment, remember the fate of 
those who laid unholy hands upon the Ark, and were 
smitten with God's anger for their presumption." 



" Respect not persons in judgment but listen to the 
humble as well as the great. Fear God for judgment is 
His." 



SEVENTH DEGREE, 





Provost and Judge 



MIDDLE CHAMBER, 




" There were three stories of side chambers built 
around the Temple on three sides ; what, therefore, is called 
in the authorized version a Middle Chamber was really the 
middle story of those three/' 

In this grade it is symbolically used as the proper place 
in which to instruct candidates for advancement. 



SEVENTH DEGPvEE. 

PEOVOST AND JUDGE. 

The Lodge represents the Middle Chamber of K.\S.\ 
Temple, and the degree teaches justice. 

Tradition informs us that K.\ S.\, after the death of G.\ 
M.\ H.\, in order that justice might be administered among 
the workmen of the temple, their complaints heard, and 
their disputes be decided, appointed Seven Provosts and 
Judges, to adjust their demands and settle their disputes 
and differences. Tito, Prince of Herodim, Chief Provost 
and Judge, Adoniram, Abda, his father, and four others 
constituted the tribunal. 

This, with the three preceding grades, covers the period 
of mourning for the Grand Master Hiram, the builder. 

The moral of this degree may be best stated by a quo- 
tation from Holy writ : "Judge not, lest ye yourselves be 
judged ; for whatsoever judgment ye measure unto others, 
the same shall in turn be measured unto you." 

That is, we should imitate the example of H.\A.\and 
judge wisely, having charity for the unfortunate, giving 
them the benefit of every extenuating circumstance. Then 
we shall call down upon ourselves only that which will be 
comforting in a trying hour. 

The necessity for a court of judges did not exist until 
after the death of the Grand Master Hiram, as the number 



42 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A. '.KITE. 

of difficulties and dissensions among the workmen was not 
so great, and judgment was arrived at by the ready de- 
cisions of Hiram, in which all quietly acquiesced. 

As members of the order of Provost and Judge it is 
our especial duty to render justice to all, to hear patiently, 
remember accurately, and weigh carefully the facts. 

There are two kinds of injustice ; the first, of those who 
offer an injury ; the second, of those who have it in their 
power to avert an injury from those to whom it is offered, 
and yet do it not. 

Brother Masons should treat their Fellows who £0 
astray — not with bitterness, nor yet with good natured 
easiness nor worldly indifference, but remember that it be- 
comes not frail and sinful humanity to be vindictive 
toward even the worst of criminals. 

We should beware of injury to our neighbor. If we 
have wronged another, we may grieve, repent, and reso- 
lutely determine against such weakness in future ; we may 
so far as it is possible, make reparation. This is well. The 
injured party may forgive us according to the meaning of 
human language, but the deed is done, and all the powers 
of nature, were they to conspire in our behalf, could not 
make it undone ; the consequences to the body, the conse- 
quences to the soul, though no man may perceive them, are 
there written in the annals of the past and must reverber- 
ate throughout all time. 

Filially, as true Masons and Judges let us always 
remember the injunction : "Thou shalt not respect the 
person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty ; 
but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor." 



EIGHTH DEGREE. 





Intendant of the Buildings, 







THE TEMPLE UNFINISHED. 



EIGHTH DEGBEE. 



INTENDANT OF THE BUILDINGS. 



The history of the degree refers to the unfinished 
Temple and recites, that the death of Hiram, the Chief 
Architect, threw the workmen into confusion and for a 
time the construction of the building was stopped, for want 
of plans and an expert director of the work. The 
period of mourning having passed, K.'.S.*. determined to 
appoint five superintendents, who had been pupils of 
Hiram, one for each of the five departments of architecture. 

Adoniram, the son of Abda, was selected as the presi- 
dent of the Board of Architects, the others being Joabert, a 
Phoenician, the chief artificer in brass, Stolkin, a Hebrew, 
chief carpenter, Selec, the Giblemite, chief stone mason, 
and Gareb, a Hebrew, chief worker in silver and gold, 
and chief engraver, and under their supervision the build- 
ing progressed. 

This grade teaches Charity and Benevolence. It 
abounds with lessons of these two virtues. 

" Thou shalt not. oppress an hired servant or a laboring 
man that is poor and needy." " Thou shalt be kind to the 
fatherless and widow." In short the lessons are embodied 
in its name, " Intendant of the Buildings." 



46 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. ".KITE. 

Intendant is to direct one's thoughts to a thing, one 
who has the charge, oversight, direction or management of 
some public business. 

Then as the five superintendents had the oversight and 
management of the work and directed their particular at- 
tention to the buildings, so should we each direct our special 
attention to building a character for ourselves that will 
stand the most severe test, by exercising and propagating 
charity and benevolence, educating the poor orphan, com- 
forting the sick and distressed, and providing refuge for 
the unfortunate. 

This would be indeed erecting a Temple not made with 
hands and dedicating it to the Grand Architect of the 
Universe, thus emulating the same spirit, fortitude and 
resolution possessed by our Grand Master Hiram, who pre- 
ferred his integrity to his life. 

The number five is intended to remind us of 
the five points of fellowship ; that we are to go on a Broth- 
er's errand or to his relief, even barefoot and upon flinty 
ground ; to remember him in our suppplications to the 
Deity ; to clasp him to our heart and protect him against 
misfortune and slander ; to uphold him when about to 
stumble and fall, and to give him prudent, honest and 
friendly counsel. 

Such are the duties we are especially to observe and to 
teach to others, for they are the first ordinances of Masonry. 



INTEND ANT OF THE BUILDINGS. 47 

Step by step we must advance towards perfection. Each 
Masonic degree is meant to be one of those steps ; each is a 
development of a particular duty, and in the present one 
we are taught charity and benevolence. With these two 
virtues we can best prepare for that future which we hope 
for. 

The law of our being is love of life, the love of the 
earth as the garden on which the Creator has lavished such 
miracles of beauty — the place for the exercise of the noblest 
passions, the loftiest virtues, and the tenderest sympathies. 
This is the charity or love taught in this degree ; for God 
Himself is love and every degree of charity that dwells in us 
the participation of the divine nature. 




OUTER DOOR. 




* * -A" # 



" The door for the Middle Chamber was in the right 
>ide of the house." 



NINTH DEGREE, 





Knights Elect of Nine 



INNER DOOR. 




"And they went up with winding stairs into the mid- 
dle chamber." 

We are informed that the steps of this winding stair 
case commenced at the very entrance to the Temple, that is 
as soon as the outer door was passed the winding stairs aj> 
peared leading to the inner door of the Middle Chamber. 



NINTH DEGEEE. 

KNIGHTS ELECT OF NINE. 

This body is styled a Chapter and consists of nine 
members, who represent the first Nine Knights Elect. 

It was established to reward the fidelity and zeal of one 
of the favorites of the King of Israel, who was first to 
detect and bring to justice a craftsman who had been en- 
gaged in an execrable deed. 

The great purpose of the degree is to inculcate and il- 
lustrate this lesson, viz : that we should be careful how we 
allow ourselves to be led away by an excess of zeal even in a 
good cause, to inflict as an individual the punishment justly 
due for the violation of human and divine laws. 

It originated after the death of the Grand Master. The 
assassins having made their escape, a great assembly of 
Masons was convened by King Solomon to consult as to the 
best means of discovering and apprehending them. 

Their deliberations were interrupted by the entrance 
of a herdsman who demanded to speak with the King. On 
being admitted to an interview, he informed King Solomon 
that he had discovered persons concealed in a cave near the 
Coast of Joppa, answering the description given of the 
traitors, and offered to conduct those whom the King should 
select to the place of their concealment. 



52 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A. '.RITE. 

King Solomon in order that no offence might be given, 
ordered a selection of nine Brethren by lot and among them 
was the favorite of King Solomon, who being more ardent 
than the rest rushed ahead of the others with the herdsman, 
and on reaching the cavern stabbed the assassin in the head 
and heart while asleep, with a dagger which he found at 
his feet. The assassin had only time to say "Necum" 
[pronounced Nay-coom], or " vengeance is taken," and ex- 
pired. 

When the other eight arrived at the spot the avenger 
informed them that he had slain the assassin of our Grand 
Master. He then severed the head from the body, and 
with that in one hand and the dagger in the other, with 
the eight returned to Jerusalem, and in his zeal rushed 
without ceremony into the presence of K.\S.\ 

The King at first was very much offended that it 
had been put out of his power to take vengeance, in pres- 
ence of, and as a warning to, the rest of the workmen, and 
ordered his guards to put his favorite to death; but through 
the intercession of his brethren he was pardoned for his zeal, 
and K.\S.\ established the grade of "Knights Elect of 
Nine? and conferred it upon the nine companions. 



TENTH DEGREE. 





Knights Elect of Fifteen 



SEA-COAST OF JOPPA, 




" At tbe first hour of the night, the Favorite of King 
Solomon and eight others, conducted by the stranger, trav- 
elled onward through a rough and dreary country toward 
the sea-coast of Joppa." 



TENTH DEGEEE. 

KNIGHTS ELECT OF FIFTEEN. 

This degree is the continuation of the Ninth degree or 
"Knights Elect of Nine" and recounts in detail the mode 
of the arrest and punishment of the other two assassins of 
our G.\M.\H.\ 

It reminds us that the unerring eye of Justice will dis. 
cover the guilty, and that they will suffer the punishment 
their crimes deserve. 

It originated from King Solomon's selecting fifteen 
Masters, among whom were the nine who had been in the 
cavern, about six months after the discovery of the 
first assassin, and sending them to Gath in search of the 
other two assassins, where he had been informed they were 
thought to be. After five days search they were found 
cutting stone in the quarry of Ben Dekar. 

They were immediately seized, bound in chains and 
taken to Jerusalem and put in prison, and the following 
morning received the punishment which their crime de- 
served. 

The moral of this degree is the same as of the degree 
which precedes it. This grade is also devoted to the cause 
of the oppressed against the oppressor and of toleration 



56 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A/. RITE. 

against intolerance; that is to the cause of human freedom, 
corporal and mental, against tyranny exercised over the soul 
or body. It teaches that ambition and fanaticism, enslavers 
of mankind, are overthrown and dispelled by the sword of 
justice. 

The assassins of H.\A.\, whose capture and ex- 
ecution are recounted, are the symbols of those special ene- 
mies of freedom of the body and the soul. 

To the objects of this degree we have all irrevocably 
consecrated ourselves, and whenever in our presence a Chap- 
ter is opened we shall be most impressively reminded of 
our solemn vows here taken at our sacred altar. 



"Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, 
Unhousell'd, disappointed, unaneled, 
No reckoning made, but sent to my account, 
With all my imperfections on my head." 



ELEVENTH DEGREE. 





Sublime Knights Elected, 



ALL-SEEING EYE. 



m3nfc 




The All-Seeing Eye is a Symbol of God manifested in His 
guardian and preserving character to which Solomon alludes 
in the Book of Proverbs when he says : "The Eyes of Jehovah 
are in every place beholding the evil and the good." 



It is a symbol of the Omnipresent Deity Whom the Sun, 
Moon and Stars obey, and under Whose watchful care even 
comets perform their stupendous revolutions. It pervades the 
inmost recesses of the human heart and will bless the good 
and punish the wicked as they deserve. Of which the detection 
and putting to death of the assassins of our Grand Master 
H.\ A.-, is an example. 



THE ELEVENTH DEGREE. 

SUBLIME KNIGHTS ELECTED. 

This Lodge is also called a Chapter, and is the third of 
the Elu or Elect degrees. It is intended to emblemat- 
ically illustrate the reward conferred by K.\ S.\ upon twelve 
of the Knights Elect of Fifteen who were instrumental in 
bringing to justice the assassins of the Master Builder 
Hiram, morally teaching us to be earnest, honest and sin- 
cere, and protect the people against illegal impositions and 
exactions. 

The twelve were selected by ballot, putting the names 
of the whole fifteen in an urn so that no offence might be 
given. The first twelve that were drawn K.\ S.\ formed 
into a Chapter and made them governors over the twelve 
tribes of Israel. He gave them the name of Emmeth, 
which is a Hebrew word signifying a true man. He ex- 
hibited to them the precious things which were deposited 
in the tabernacle. 

These last three degrees constitute what are called the 
Elu degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, or 
the degrees of the Elected. They form a particular system 
of Masonry and are to be found in every Rite. 

In the York Rite the Elu or Elect is incorporated 
*in the Master Mason's degree. In the French Rite they 



60 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

constitute a separate degree, called Elu, and forming the 
4th degree. 

But in all the Rites the purport is the same — 
to give details of the detection and punishment by chosen or 
elected Brethren, of those murderers who first stained the 
escutcheon of Freemasonry by an atrocious crime, thereby 
satisfying justice, vindicating the majesty of the law, and 
purifying the land of the innocent blood shed in the Tem- 
ple, and teaching us that our deceased Brother and revered 
Master should be unto us the symbol of virtue, integrity 
and truth. 




TWELFTH DEGREE. 





Grand Master Architect. 



GRAND MASTER ARCHITECT. 




The implements of a Grand Master Architect teach the 
following : 

" Life and time are but a point in the center of Eternity ; 
while the circle of God's attributes is infinite." 



" We should multiply our good deeds, divide that which 
we can spare of our substance among those who need it more 
than we and extract the good that is intended to benefit and 
bless us from the reverses and calamities of life." 



" We should strive to grasp and solve the great problem 
presented by the Universe and involved in our existence; to 
know and understand the lofty truths of Philosophy, and to 
communicate freely of our knowledge unto others." 




TWELFTH DEGREE. 

GRAND MASTER ARCHITECT. 

Bodies of this degree are styled Chapters. The degree 
is alleged to have been established as a school of instruction 
for the more advanced workmen of the Temple and to re- 
ward those more eminent in science and skill. 

It also partakes of a scientific nature in which the rules 
of Architecture and the connection of the Liberal Arts with 
Masonry are dwelt upon similarly to those of the Fellow 
Craft degree in Blue Lodge Masonry. 

It requires the Neophyte to be thoroughly 
qualified, intellectually and morally, and teaches him that 
virtue is as necessary as talent to every Grand Master 
Architect. It took its rise at the time when K.\ S.\, after 
the murderers of the Master Khurum Abai had been dis- 
covered, apprehended, tried and punished, rewarded the 
superior and eminent science and skill of Adoniram, who 
for a time had been chief of the five Intendants, by making 
him Chief Architect of the Temple, with the title of 



64 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

Grand Master A rchitect. Afterward the title was con- 
ferred upon other Princes of the Jewish Court as honorary, 
the other four intendants being the first to receive it. 

As time passed on Freemasons ceased to work 
with the tools of the laborer, the square, level, plumb and 
trowel, as well as those of the Architect and the Geometri- 
cian, and we no longer occupy ourselves with geometry and 
mathematics as sciences, nor expect of our initates a knowl- 
edge of their problems, or even their terms ; but by means 
of the morality of Masonry, we advance toward its philoso- 
phy drawing symbolical meaning from the instruments 
and emblems of the Order. 



CORINTmion 




THIRTEENTH DEGREE. 




Knights of the Ninth Arch 



" The Lord is great in Zion. Let all the earth praise Him 
for His great and terrible name ; for it is holy." 



" He spoke from the cloudy pillar and from the fire ; and 
from the depth came forth the riches of secret places." 



"His eyes are upon the ways of man and he seeth all his 
doings." 



" Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end 
of that man is peace." "Mine eyes shall be on the perfect 
man," saith the Lord. " The perfect of the land shall dwell 
with me ; they shall walk in my name and serve me for- 
ever." 



THIRTEENTH DEGREE. 

KNIGHTS OF THE NINTH ARCH. 

This Chapter of the Royal Arch of Solomon repre- 
sents the audience chamber of K.\S.\ The degree forms the 
climax of Ineffable Masonry, and is the Key Stone of the 
Arch. 

It discovers that which is revealed in the succeed- 
ing degree. The dark clouds and mists that have hitherto 
veiled the sacred mysteries, now begin to be dispelled ; the 
glorious dawn illumines the East with its bright effulgence, 
and its rays penetrate into dark and hidden places. 

The shaded beauties of the Sacred Words that have 
been hitherto revealed and the lessons of virtue that have 
so gradually been inculcated, receive a climax, and culmin- 
ate in the development of the great mystery of Ineffable 
Masonry, viz : the finding of the Ineffable Name which was 
engraved by Moses upon a plate of gold and deposited in 
the Ark of the Covenant. Its true pronunciation was soon 
lost, but the Word remained in the Ark, which was lost in 
the battle of Othniel against the King of Syria, those who 
bore the Ark being slain. 

Tradition informs us that after the battle, the men of 
Israel searching for the Ark were led to it by the roaring 
of a lion, which, crouching near by, had guarded it, holding 
the golden key in its mouth ; upon the approach of the 



68 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. ".AND A. '.RITE. 

High Priest and Levites lie laid down the key and with- 
drew. Hence, upon the golden key worn by the Treasurer 
you see the initials of these words, "In arc leonis ver- 
buminveni" (In the lion's mouth I found the Word.) 

David intended to build a Temple to God, but be- 
queathed the enterprise to Solomon, his son, who erected it 
upon Mount Moriah, and under it he built a secret vault, 
the approach to which was through eight other vaults and 
through a long and narrow passage under the King's Pal- 
ace. 

In the ninth apartment was placed a twisted column 
of white marble on which it was intended to place the Ark, 
and in this apartment K.\S.\ held his private conferences 
with King Hiram of Tyre and H.\A.\, they only knowing 
the way by which it was approached. 

K.\S.\ proposed to erect a Temple of Justice, and se- 
lected as a site the spot where Enoch's Temple had stood 
and directed that the fallen columns and rubbish be re- 
moved. Gibulum, Joabert, and Stolkin were selected to 
survey the ground and lay off the foundations. 

This degree is so intimately connected with that which 
succeeds it as to appear like a section of that degree, and 
whatever is left blind in this will be made plain in that. 
We should, therefore, wait patiently for the promised reve- 
lation, and by our zeal and eminent services receive the 
reward in due season. 



FOURTEENTH DEGREE. 




Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Mason 



PLANTING THE SPRIG OF ACACIA, 




The Sprig of Acacia is capable of three explanations. It 
is a symbol of Immortality, of Innocence and of Initiation. 
Thus, in this one symbol we are taught that inthe in itiation 
of life of which the Initiation into the third degree is simply 
emblematic, Innocence must for a time lie in the grave, at 
length, however, to be called by the Grand Master of the 
Universe to a blissful Immortality. 

Combine this with the recollection of the place where the 
Sprig of Acacia was planted — Mount Calvary — the place of 
Sepulture of Him Who " brought life and immortality to 
light" and Who is designated in Masonry as He is in scripture 
as " the Lion of the tribe of Judah," and remember too that 
in the mystery of His death the wood of the Cross takes the 
place of the Acacia, and we have a beautiful suggestion of all 
the mysteries of Life and Death, of Time and Eternity, of the 
Present and of the Future. 



FOURTEENTH DEGREE. 

GRAND ELECT PERFECT AND SUBLIME MASON. 

The history of this degree explains that which was not 
revealed in the preceding degree. It is strongly allied to 
the Royal Arch degree in York Rite Masonry. 

The Lodge represents the secret vault under the Sanc- 
tum Sanctorum, in which is placed the pillar of Beauty, and 
on this the Holy four-letter name. 

It reveals the tetragrammaton, completes the construc- 
tion of the Holy Temple, and narrates the destruction of 
both the Temple and city of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, 
King of Babylon, the carrying away of the people captive 
to Babylon, and the removal of all the Holy vessels. 

After the death of H.\A.\ the two Kings ceased to visit 
the Ninth Arch or vault, resolving not to do so until they 
should select one to fill his place, and that, until that time, 
they would make known the Sacred Name to no one. 

After Adoniram, Joabert and Stolkin had discovered 
the cube of agate and the mysterious name, and had deliv- 
ered the cube of agate to K.'.S.*., the two Kings determined 
to deposit it in the secret vault, permit the three Masters 
who discovered it to be present, make known to them the 
true pronunication of the Ineffable Word, constitute the last 



72 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A/.AND A. '.RITE. 

degree of Ancient Craft Masonry and term it " Grand 
Elect Perfect and Sublime Mason" and from this inci- 
dent originated this degree. The cube of agate was so 
deposited. 

The secret vault was thereafter called Sacred Vault, 
and was originally built by H.\A.\ None but Grand Elect 
Perfect and Sublime Masons knew of its existence or knew 
other than the substituted word — which we are taught in 
the third degree shall be used until future ages shall find 
out the right. Hence this degree is the cap sheaf of 
Ancient Craft Masonry, as it makes the revelation looked 
for in all of the preceding grades. 

The Temple was completed in the year 3000, and its 
completion was celebrated with great pomp and splendid 
magnificence. When the singers and trumpeters were to 
make one sound in praise and thanks to the Lord, the Tem- 
ple was filled with a cloud and the name was fully pro- 
nounced. 

# *• # * * ■* * 

Thus far the wise King of Israel behaved worthy of 
himself and gained universal admiration; but in process of 
time his understanding became impaired ; he grew deaf to 
the voice of the Lord and was strangely irregular in his 
conduct. Proud of having erected an edifice to his Maker 
and intoxicated with his great power, he plunged into all 
manner of licentiousness and debauchery, and profaned the 



14° PERFECT AND SUBLIME MASON. 73 

Temple by offering incense to the idol Moloch, which only 
should have been offered to the living God. 

As an adequate punishment for this defection, God in- 
spired the heart of Nebuchadnezzar to take vengeance on 
the kingdom of Israel ; he accordingly sacked the city of 
Jerusalem, razed its walls and destroyed that superb model 
of excellence, the Temple. The people were carried away 
captive and the conquerors took with them the vessels of 
gold and silver. 

After this some of the Grand Elect Masons bethought 
themselves of the Sacred Vault and the inestimable treasure 
it contained. Repairing to the ruins of the Temple at night 
they found that the way which led to the vault had not 
been discovered, nor the slab of marble which covered it 
disturbed; but upon it they found the dead body of Galaad, 
an eminent Brother and chief of the Levites who had been 
intrusted with the custody of the Sacred Yault. 

During the ceremony a gold band or ring is presented 
to the candidate, to be worn as a symbol of the alliance 
he has contracted with virtue and the virtuous. On the 
inside is the inscription " Mors non disjungat quid virtus 
conjungit" (whom virtue unites death cannot separate.) 
The ring is an emblem of Eternity, and with the inscrip- 
tion symbolizes the eternal nature of virtue with which he 
is irrevocably allied and in covenant. 



74 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A.'. RITE. 

The valor and fortitude of Elected Knights was ad- 
mired by all, and many became desirous of being initiated. 
On being found worthy they were admitted, and thus the 
Royal Art has met the approbation of great and good men, 
and has been diffused to the worthy through a succession 
of ages until the present day. 

And all not only make the discovery of the lost Word, 
but have been and are still taught that they should cultivate 
ardent zeal, affection and charity, that their actions should 
be as open as the full blaze of the noon-day sun, and their 
charity as diffusive as its beams; that they should endeavor 
to be adorned and rich in the many virtues and qualities 
which are represented in the symbolism of the degree. 

We should seek wisdom, which the wisest Kings have 
said is better than fine gold; and have a lively faith in that 
which is represented by the color green, as well as the tra- 
ditional sprig of acacia. " A belief in the immortality of 
the soul." 

Finally, we should possess that constancy, fidelity, 
firmness and decision of character, that shall ever forbid the 
worship of idols or any departure from the true faith, and 
prompt us to follow the example of our Grand Master H.\ 
A.*. in his fidelity to the one true and ever-living God. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Historical Degrees, 15th and 16th 



"Henceforth you will work with the sword in one hand 
and the trowel in the other." 



CROWN OF KING DARIUS. 




And King Darius said, " Great is Truth and mighty 
above all things." 



" Arise, Oh Lord ; and have mercy upon thy Zion, for the 
time to favor her, yea, the set time is come. Stir up the 
heart of the King Thy servant ; for it is written, " The 
heathen shall fear the name of the Lord and all the kings 
of the earth Thy glory." 



" God speaketh once — yea — twice but man perceiveth it 
not. In a dream — in a vision of the night — when deep sleep 
falleth upon men, then He openeth the ears of men, and 
sealeth their instruction." 



THIRD SERIES. 

THE HISTORICAL DEGREES. 

It will be remembered that the Ineffable degrees, or the 
degrees conferred in Lodges of Perfection, completed the 
first Holy Temple, and narrated the destruction of both it 
and the city of Jerusalem, together with the death of K.\ S.\ 

The Historical degrees are those conferred in Councils 
of Princes of Jerusalem, viz : " Knights of the East and 
Sioord" and "Prince of Jerusalem" and relate to the build- 
ing of the second Holy Temple, under the authority given 
by King Cyrus, and his successor, King Darius. 

Originally, it was the province of every Council to 
inspect and watch over with dne care and fidelity Lodges 
of Perfection, and to see that their work was done in con- 
formity with the Regulations and Landmarks of the order. 
This duty has never been abrogated, but is seldom exercised. 

A Prince of Jerusalem has rights in the subordinate 
bodies not accorded to members of those bodies who have 
not attained to the degrees of the Council. When he 
presents himself properly clothed he is entitled to be re- 
ceived under an arch of steel and escorted by four brethren, 
to a seat on the right hand of the Presiding Officer. 



78 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A/.AND A.'.RITE. 

Princes have also the right of being covered in all of 
the lower bodies and of addressing the Chair without first 
asking permission. They must however on all occasions 
conform to the true intent and meaning of the Statutes and 
Regulations of the Supreme Council and to the Constitutions 
and laws of Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry. 

These degrees are called historical because they are 
founded on certain historical events near the close of the 
Babylonish captivity. 

The object of their institution appears to have been to 
animate and encourage the true Mason to be active in his 
duties, by presenting in an effective and dramatic manner 
some illustrious examples of Humility, Patience, Truth, 
Wisdom, Chivalric Courage, and Devotion, as displayed by 
our Ancient Brethren. 



FIFTEENTH DEGREE, 





Knight of the East and Sword 



JEWEL OF A KNIGHT OF THE EAST AND 
SWORD. 




The jewel of this degree is three triangles, one within 
the other, diminishing in size and inclosing two naked 
swords crossed, hilts downward resting on the base of the 
inner triangle. 



The God of battles is with ns. Our petition has been 
heard. Let our deliberations be guided by sound discre- 
tion. Have faith, and success will attend us. 



Thus saith Cyrus, King of Persia: "All the King- 
doms of the Earth hath the Lord God of Heaven given me 
and He has charged me to build Him an house in Jerusa- 



lem, in Judea." 




FIFTEENTH DEGREE. 

KNIGHT OF THE EAST AND SWORD. 

This degree is intimately connected with the one which 
succeeds it. It tells of the Babylonish captivity which 
lasted seventy years ; the release and return of the 42,360 
captives to Jerusalem, and the attempt to build the second 
Temple under tiie direction of Zerubbabel ; . that King 
Cyrus permitted the return of the Holy vessels and orna- 
ments which had been removed by Nebuzaradan at the 
time of the destruction of the first Temple, that the return 
of the captives was contested at the bridge over the river 
Euphrates, but unsuccessfully. 

The substance of the history is, that those in bondage 
sought relief by application to King Cyrus through Zerub- 
babel, whose honor and probity was so well established that 
the Craftsmen wholly relied on his truthfulness and discre- 
tion. 



82 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

Zerubbabel selected companions to accompany him, 
and they presented themselves kneeling before the King, 
who offered to give the captives their liberty, restore all of 
their former riches, and allow them to rebuild the Temple 
on the condition that they reveal to him the secrets of 
Freemasonry. 

This Zerubbabel and his companions refused to do, 
whereupon King Cyrus informed them that he would 
see whether their bodies were as impenetrable as their 
souls, and ordered the guards to make them pass through 
the fire, which was done. They still refused to re- 
veal the secrets, and their strength of mind surprised the 
King, and he refused to push into effect menaces which 
were only intended as trials. He related to them a singu- 
lar dream in which an angry lion was about to throw him- 
self upon him and devour him, when suddenly he saw a 
light which dazzled his sight, and heard a voice saying unto 
him : " Loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy 
burdens, let the oppressed go free." 

The dream being interpreted by the Grand Master of 
the Palace, was said to mean that the King must set the cap- 
tives free, restore to them all of their riches and assist them 
to rebuild their Temple; and that the lion, ready to devour 
him, presaged the end he might expect if he remained deaf 
to the voice of God. 

The King declared that these were words of truth, that 



15° KNIGHT OF THE EAST AND SWORD. 83 

the God of Israel hath spoken and must be obeyed. He 
therefore released them, and declared that he would per- 
mit them to rebuild the Temple destroyed by his ancestors, 
and that he would return their treasures before the setting 
of the sun. The King armed them with swords as a mark 
of distinction and created them " Knights of the East" 

They proceeded to Jerusalem, being contested at the 
bridge over the Euphrates, but they gave their enemies bat- 
tle and put them to flight. 

It was ordered that the stones for rebuilding should be 
taken from the quarries of Tyre, and the wood from the 
forests of Lebanon, so that the second Temple should be in 
all parts like unto the first, to signify that Masonry is a 
unity and cannot suffer any material change. 

When they had arrived at Jerusalem and were la- 
boring to lay the foundation of the Temple, they were beset 
on every side by enemies. Zerubbabel ordered that the 
Masons should work with the sword in one hand and the 
trowel in the other, that they might be able at any moment 
to defend themselves from an attack. 

Therefore in this degree the initiate appears in a 
double capacity — as a Craftsman and a Warrior, and must 
constantly be on the alert, ready either for work or com- 
bat. 

From this circumstance, united with King Cyrus cre- 
ating them Knights of the East, originated the title of this 
degree, " Knight of the East and Sword." 



84 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

The important lesson of this grade is, that we should 
ever be on the alert to tight against the lying vanities and 
deceits of the world, and to work for the elevation of our 
Brethren and mankind in general to a nobler and higher 
life; to break the yoke of bondage and let the oppressed go 
free, that they may assist in the upbuilding of Holy Places 
to the glory of God. 



''Illustrious acts high raptures do infuse, 
And every Conqueror creates a muse.' 1 



" That ?nan, is great, who with firm faith in God, goes 
forth to fight the battle of the weak, to shield the innocent, 
to protect the poor ; who knows no fear but fear of dis- 
honor, and finds his chiefest joy, his greatest good, in the 
promotion of the Brotherhood of man." 



SIXTEENTH DEGREE, 






Prince of Jerusalem 



THE THREE LESSER LIGHTS. 



" These three points or dots distinguish Masonic abbre- 
viations." 

■X- * * * * 

" Various attempts have been made to explain their 

origin ; they are said to allude to the three lesser lights ; 

or, as they were first introduced by French Masons they 

may refer to the situation of the three principal officers of 

the Lodge in the French Rite, where the Master sits in the 

East and the two Wardens in the West." 

* ■* # # * 

" They are alleged by others to be inverted and thus to 

allude to the initial name of Deity, as represented in the 

original of the Hebrew forming the Triune Circles of 

Eternity." 



SIXTEENTH DEGKEE. 

PRINCE OF JERUSALEM. 

This degree being a continuation of the fifteenth degree, 
it completes the recital of the troubles and trials of the 
ancient Masons to rebuild the Temple — though under 
another King, Darius, who succeeded King Cyrus. 

In this grade, as in the one preceding it, Zerubbabel 
and the companions of his choice were delegated to inter- 
view the King, and if possible obtain his permission to pro- 
ceed with the work of rebuilding the Temple. Zerubbabel, 
by his eloquence and honesty of purpose, gained the favor 
of King Darius, who offered him the highest office in his 
gift ; but Zerubbabel declined, saying he was irrevocably 
bound to the fortunes of his people, and that the accom- 
plishment of the decrees of heaven, relative to the re-edifi- 
cation of God's Holy Temple, would not allow him to accept 
the King's most generous offer. 

The King recognized Zerubbabel as the friend of his 
youth, and yielding to the necessity of obeying the superior 
will of Providence, seconded the Divine will as much as 
was in his power. 

Zerubbabel recited to the King the kind acts of King 
Cyrus, and how they had been obstructed in their labors 
since his death, being incessantly persecuted by the hostili- 



88 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.KITE. 

ties of the Syrians and Samaritans, and that they had been 
forced to abandon their works. Zerubbabel reminded the 
King of the vow he had formerly made, that if lie ever 
ascended the throne lie would advance the building of the 
Holy Temple, and make restitution of all its treasures. 

The King fulfilled the promise and vow, promised pro- 
tection to the masons in their work, and conferred the title 
of "Prince of Jerusalem" on Zerubbabel, which was con- 
firmed by the Jews and made a Masonic grade of distinc- 
tion. The noble edifice was completed in the sixth year of 
the reign of Darius, and was like nnto if not more magnificent 
than the first Temple, built by the great King Solomon. It 
covered the same ground as the one destroyed, and was fur- 
nished with the same precious vessels. 

The valuable lesson elicited from the arguments by the 
Satrap of Assyria, the Satrap of Media and Zerubbabel, at 
the instance of King Darius, as to " what is that which holds 
the most powerful sway over mortals," as summed up by 
Zerubbabel, should make a deep and lasting impression 
upon the mind of every Prince, viz : " Truth is omnipotent 
— greater than any transitory throne, more endurable than 
any frail, decaying beauty. These are both of short dura- 
tion, but Truth lives forever. It is the essence of the Grand 
architect of the Universe, the motive of every just action, 
the basis of all laws, the seal of sovereign majesty, the ob- 
ject of every good man's search." In the words of the 
King, may the triumph of Truth shine forth. 



FOURTH SERIES 



Philosophical Degrees, 17th and 18th 



" As my Father hath loved me/' said the Lord, " Even 
so have I loved you." And again, "A new commandment 
give I unto you, that ye love one another." 



THE PILLARS OF 




iSKW :«■« 



WISDOM, STRENGTH AND BEAUTY. 



* * 



FOUKTH SERIES. 

THE PHILOSOPHICAL DEGREES. 

The ceremonies of these degrees impart wise instruc- 
tion, and the bodies are styled Sovereign Chapters. 

They teach that " Freemasonry is of heavenly birth ; 
the pillars of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty support it ; its 
foundation stone is Virtue ; its cement Charity. Like a 
rock in the midst of the ocean it rises above every storm 
and bids proud defiance to the raging waves which dash 
against its base." 

"Freemasonry in its theoretic and speculative sense, is 
an acknowledged moral order, founded on Charity, the 
handmaid of religion, and having for its object the inculca- 
tion of Divine truths and moral teachings through symbol- 
ism." These degrees are conferred in a Rose-Croix Chapter 
and are called, "Knight of the East and West" ''Sovereign 
and Prince of Bose-Croix" and "Knight of the Eagle 
and Pelican." They relate to the building of the third 
Temple, " One not made with hands "— within the heart of 
man. 



THE HOLY BIBLE. 




The Holy Bible is used among Masons as the symbol of 
the will of God. 



SEVENTEENTH DEGREE 




Knight of the East and West. 



THE CROSS. 




"It is to Him who is represented by this symbol (the 
cross) that we must look with the eye of Faith for true 
Wisdom." 



By Faith, a steady course we steer 
Through ruffling storms and swelling seas ; 
By Faith, we pass the vale of tears, 
Safe and secure, though oft distressed ; 
By Faith, subdue the king of fears, 
And go rejoicing to our rest. 



SEVENTEENTH DEGREE. 

KNIGHT OF THE EAST AND WEST. 

This is the first of the series of modern or accepted de- 
grees as used in contradistinction to the term Ancient. It 
is also first of the Philosophic degrees. 

In this grade the word is again lost, and figuratively, 
the Third Temple — in the heart of man, is to be built and 
dedicated under the new law to the true worship. 

The revelations made cannot be fully understood, as 
they are introductory to and most closely connected with 
the succeeding degree, in which the whole mystery is ex- 
plained. 

The important lesson is, that the candidate must have 
lived up to his obligations taken in the previous degrees, 
in order to proceed honestly in this degree, and he is cau- 
tioned to make truthful answers to all interrogatories so 
that the solemn vows about to be required of him will not 
overwhelm him with the bitterest remorse of conscience. 
He is also taught to be just, upright and benevolent, and to 
use all proper and justifiable measures for the good of 
Masonry. 

The Knights mourn the loss of the Word and re- 
gret that there are none present worthy to open the book 



96 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'.AXD A.'. RITE.. 

of the seven seals, and the Most Potent says: " Let us, then, 
retire into the woods and mountains, and there search for 
the lost Word, whereby we may be enabled to open the 
book and learn the mysteries of the new law." 

The historical tradition of the degree recites that the 
Knights and Princes resolved to re-establish the Christian 
Religion in the Holy Land even at the expense of the last 
drop of their blood. Peace having been restored, they 
could not practically fulfill their vows, and therefore they 
resolved to do in theory what they could not do in practice, 
and determined never to admit or initiate any into their 
mystic ceremonies but those who had given proofs of friend- 
ship, zeal and discretion. They took the name of " Knight 
of the East and West" in memory of the place where this 
Order was first instituted. 

We are taught that we should not despair because we 
have often seemed on the point of attaining the inmost light, 
and have as often been disappointed. In all time, Truth 
has been hidden under symbols and often under a succes- 
sion of allegories where veil after veil had to be j>enetrated 
before the true light was reached and the essential truth 
stood revealed. 

We are about to approach those ancient religions which 
once ruled the minds of men and whose ruins encumber the 
plains of the great past, as the broken columns of Palmyra 
and Tadmor lie bleaching on the sands of the desert. 



17° KNIGHT OF THE EAST AND WEST. 97 

Those old, strange, mysterious creeds and faiths, 
shrouded in the mists of antiquity, rise before us and stalk 
dimly and undeflnedly along the line that divides time from 
eternity. 

The religion taught by Moses, which, like the laws of 
Egypt, enunciated the principles of exclusion, borrowed at 
every period of its existence from all the creeds with which 
it came in contact, while by the study of the learned and 
wise it enriched itself with the most admirable principles of 
the religions of Egypt and Asia, It was one thing in the 
time of Aaron and Moses, another in that of David and 
Solomon, and still another when John the Baptist made 
his appearance in the desert near the shores of the Dead 
Sea; and even during the preaching of Paul it was held by 
a vast number that the writings of the Apostles were in- 
complete. It will thus be seen that in order to discover 
that of which we are in search we must receive from the 
hands of Philosophy all the developments which lay con- 
cealed therein, and grasp the mysteries handed down from 
generation to generation in esoteric tradition. 



THE GRAVE, 




The funeral ceremony of the Philosophical grades is 
held in this degree. 



" May death purify thee ! May the waters of Charity 
wash off all thy faults, and in the presence of this grave 
wherein thou restest, may we remember thy virtues only." 



EIGHTEENTH DEGREE 





Knight of The Rose Croix and Knight of 
The Eagle and Pelican. 



POT OF INCENSE. 




OF A DEPARTED BROTHER. 

" Let the strength which for thee was once derived from 
the vegetable kingdom, return to its source, and with the 
mortal remains to that material life which so beautifully 
expounds the wise designs of our Almighty Father/' 



"May the soul of our Brother return to its Celestial 
Abo le, as the perfume of this License rises toward Heaven ; 
may the Grand Architect receive it in His eternal Chapter, 
aud bestow upon it the reward in store for the righteous. " 




EIGHTEENTH DEGEEE. 

KNIGHT OF THE ROSE CROIX AND KNIGHT OF THE EAGLE 
AND PELICAN. 

This degree teaches that Free, Ancient and Accepted 
Scottish Kite Masonry has no ambition to be considered a 
charitable institution in the modern acceptation of that term. 
Alms-giving is not the full scope of Charity as taught in the 
old Free Masonic schools of Philosophy. The greatest of 
the divine virtues given to man is Charity ; it is that great 
vital principle of Fraternity, of equality and of liberty which 
prompts a man to love his neighbor as himself ; in brief, 
this is the substance of all our teachings, and all else is but 
subsidiary. 

It is also taught, that, while in this grade we are 
in search of light and truth, it is not for the Truth of 
any particular creed or religion. That search would be in 



102 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.*. RITE. 

vain, for what is Truth to one is not Truth to another; often 
by argument and evidence, but almost always by the acci- 
dents of birth, education and circumstances, our religious 
belief is formed ; therefore, each one is permitted to apply 
and interpret the s} T mbols and ceremonies of the degree in 
such a manner as may seem truest and most appropriate. 

The name Knight of the Eagle and Pelican is one of the 
appellations of this degree because the jewel has on one 
side an Eagle and on the other side a Pelican, both at the 
foot of the Cross, in allusion to the symbolism of the de- 
gree — and Rose-Croix takes its name from emblems of the 
Rose and Cross. 

The candidate resumes his search for the lost Word, 
symbolically wandering with his guide through woods and 
mountains, and finally solicits the assistance of the officers 
to find it, when he is informed that confusion has come 
over the works and that it is no longer in their power to 
continue them. 

The story of the Cross is recited to him, and at the 
proper time the Crucifixion scene is presented to his view 
and he is instructed that it is to Him who is represented on 
the. cross that he must look for true wisdom. 

It is next decided by a new law to recover the Word, 
adopting the three virtues which are its principal columns 
of support — Faith, Hope and Charity ; the object being to 
impress upon the candidate that he should never remain 



18° KNIGHT OF THE ROSE CROIX. 103 

idle, but if necessary that he should travel over the four 
quarters of the globe that he may learn the beauties of the 
new law, which is no more nor less than the law established 
by the teachings of the Redeemer of the world while on 
earth. 

He is taught that Faith is the substance of things hoped 
for, the evidence of things not seen. Through Faith we 
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of 
God. By Faith, Enoch was translated, that he should not 
see death. By Faith, Abraham when he was tried offered up 
Isaac, and He that received the promise offered up His Only 
Begotten Son. 

"Hope is the evidence of things not seen." "Waiting for 
the redemption of our bodies from death. For we are saved 
by Hope, but Hope that is seen is not Hope. But if we Hope 
for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 

The scripture teaches that, " Though I speak with the 
tongues of men and of angels, and have not Charity, I am 
become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal/' 

In short, the Neophyte is taught that these three virtues, 
Faith, Hope and Charity, should guide him through life; that 
though he must pass through most rigorous trials, and be con- 
ducted to a place of darkness and gloomy horror, yet by 
Faith he has reason to hope that the Word of which he is in 
search will come forward at the appointed time to give 
honor and glory to Masonry and life and light to the 



104 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'.AND A.'.RITE. 

Avorld. He passes through the solemn ceremonies guided 
by Faith, and at length the Word is revealed. 

At every assembling of this body, before calling it to 
refreshment, there should be a feast celebrated by partak- 
ing together of bread and wine, which is to us the symbol 
of Fraternity and affection, and of that perfect union which 
must ever exist among Knights of the Rose-Croix. After 
the benediction, the Knight's should silently disperse, and 
the chapter remains at refreshment until regularly convened 
or called by the Most Wise. Thus a Rose-Croix Chapter 
is seldom, if ever closed, as the table ceremony is indispen- 
sable whenever there is a call to refreshment. 

The Ascension scene is also introduced with appropri- 
ate ceremony, and proper recitation of Scripture lessons. 
The particular feasts are held on Holy Thursday and Easter 
Sunday. This body provides a funeral ceremony peculiar 
to itself. 

Masonry has a mission to perform with her traditions 
reaching to the earliest times, and her symbols dating 
further back than even the monumental history of Egypt 
extends. And while it invites all men of all religions to 
enlist under its banners, and to war against evil, ignorance 
and wrong ; it permits every man to enjoy his own partic- 
ular opinion, and to put such construction upon the sym- 
bolic teachings of the order as he may choose. But to a 
believer in the Christian Religion, the symbolism of the 



18° KNIGHT OF THE ROSE CROIX. 105 

degrees of Rose-Croix teach the beautiful doctrine of Christ, 
and His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, where He 
now sits on the right hand of our Heavenly Father, as a 
mediator and intercessor for all those who have faith in 
Him. 

The explanation of the Jewel furnishes a key to the 
Masonic symbolism. It teaches that Christian Masonry 
rests upon Ancient Craft Masonry. 

Freemasonry is found worshipping in three Temples : 
that of Solomon upon Mount Zion, in which the Ineffable 
name was revealed to man ; that of Zerubbabel, who re- 
stored the edifice demolished by vice and sin, and now we 
stand in the third Temple, and God is adored wherever any 
meet and worship in spirit and in truth. And of its foun- 
dation it is written, "No man can lay other than that which 
is laid, even Christ Jesus our Lord." The center of the 
Jewel is a Cross. The Rose is an emblem of the Messiah 
who is frequently alluded to in the scriptures under 
the figurative appellation : the Cross. Thus the Cross, bear- 
ing on its center a full blown rose, is a simple and beauti- 
ful emblem of Him who is the Rose of Sharon. 

The Pelican, feeding her young with her own blood, 
reminds us of Him who sealed with His blood the new 
covenant, laying down His life that we might live. The 
Eagle, from the custom attributed to it, of bearing aloft its 
feeble young on its own wings to assist them in their flight, 



106 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A. '.RITE. 

is chosen as an emblem of our Savior teaching the children 
of His adoption to soar from the temptations and corrup- 
tions of the world, to a higher and holier sphere. 

So we cannot fail to see that when the key-stone was 
removed from the Arch of Enoch, and the Ineffable name 
brought from the bowels of the earth to adorn the Temple 
of our God, there was thinly veiled the prophecy of that 
more glorious day when the stone should be rolled away 
from the grave of our Savior, and Re should come forth 
and ascend on high, leading captivity captive, the victor 
over sin and death, the only name given under heaven 
among men whereby we could be saved. 



FIFTH SERIES, 





The Historical and Philosophical Degrees, 
I9th to 29th Inclusive. 

As the interpretation of the Masonic Globes is a sym- 
bol of the Universality of Masonry, so the degrees of this 
series teach Universal Religion. 



" By labor and intent study (which I take to be my 
portion in this life), joined with the strong propensity of 
Nature, I might perhaps leave something so written to after 
times as they should not willingly let it die." 



" Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play 
upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do ingloriously, 
by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. 
Let her and falsehood grapple ! Who ever knew Truth put 
to the worse in a free and open encounter ? " 



" Enflamed with the study of learning and the admira- 
tion of virtue ; stirred up with high hopes of living to be 
brave men and worthy patriots, dear to God and famous to 
all ages." 



FIFTH SERIES. 



THE HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL DECREES, 19TH TO 29TH, 

INCLUSIVE. 

It will be observed that this series combines the two 
preceding series, the 3d Historical and 4th series Philosoph- 
ical degrees. It may therefore be expected that the teach- 
ings of this in a measure are a continuation of the others. 
The degrees of this series are the 19th to 29th, inclusive, 
and are conferred in a Consistory. In entering upon this 
new division of the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted 
Rite, we are still in pursuit of good, and laboring for the 
destruction of evil — following the same laws as those laid 
down in the two preceding degrees, and taking another bold 
step toward the purification of our own souls, and sowing 
for others to reap, fruits of eternal happiness. 

The eleven degrees of the Areopagus are usually con- 
ferred under the authority of the chapter of Knights 
Kadosh, the whole being under the authority of the Con- 
sistory. The ceremonies most beautifully unfold the errors 
and frailties of humanity, and most thoroughly instruct us 
how to overcome them and advance toward that perfect 
state hoped for by mortality. We proceed in the con- 



110 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.'. RITE. 

struction of the third Temple as initiated in the degrees of 
the Rose Croix, and with the hope and endeavor to make 
the world a Temple fit for the dwelling place of the G.\A.\ 
of the Universe. 

No Rose Croix Knight should attempt to enter upon 
this series unless he has fully made up his mind to study 
and fully comprehend its teachings, otherwise he is treading 
on dangerous ground, as they are the culminating degrees 
of Universal Religion. 

The exterior world, like a great book, gives us intel- 
ligible and truthful readings of Nature's laws, leading us to 
look through Nature up to Nature's God. 

The Lodge is a symbol of the world extending from 
East to West, from North to South, from the depth of the 
earth to the Celestial Heavens. In the East the rising Sun, 
the grand source of light and heat, shines in the Lodge as 
the unwearied ruler and guide of our working hours, the 
symbol of its Creator's power and watchful care ; while the 
Moon, the resplendent orb of night, with the attendant stars, 
reflects the greater glories of Divine munificence, diffusing 
light and harmony in our pathway to Truth, Liberty and 
Fraternity. 



NINETEENTH DEGREE. 





Grand Pontiff, or Sublime Scotch Mason 



"Truth dawns upon the human soul, 

And error disappears ; 
"No longer darkness hath control 

O'er weary, lengthened years. 

No longer for men's sorrow groan — 
Their sin, their shame, their tears — 

But still and stately past God's throne 
March onward — banish fears. 

The Sun is radiant in the sky, 

The earth, in regal state, 
Waits but the " Hallelujah " cry, 

That ope's the Holy Gate ; 

And ancient time waits but the Light 

That lifts the fearful pall, 
Then sin no more the world shall blight, 

And Good shall conquer all." 



NINETEENTH DEGKEE. 

GRAND PONTIFF, OR SUBLIME SCOTCH MASON. 

This degree is founded upon certain apocalyptic mys- 
teries relating to the new Jerusalem. It rests upon the 
three characteristic virtues taught in the eighteenth degree, 
and proclaims the Alpha and Omega. The important les- 
son of this degree is to impress upon our minds that a true 
Mason labors for the benefit of those who come after him. 
That it is a poor ambition which contains itself within the 
limits of a single life. 

All men who deserve to live desire to survive their 
funerals, and to live afterward in the good that they have 
done mankind, rather than in the marble of men's mem- 
ories. Most men desire to leave some work behind them 
that may outlast their own day and generation ; that is an 
instinctive impulse given by God, and is often found in 
the rudest human heart, and is the surest proof of the 
soul's immortality. The rudest, unlettered husbandman, 
painfully conscious of his own inferiority, will toil and 
stint himself to be able to educate his child, that he may 
walk in a higher sphere of usefulness in this world. The 
Mason who would benefit his race must frequently look for 
apathy and cold indifference in those whose good he seeks, 
and in those who ought to seek the good of others. 



114 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

Let us sow that others may reap, work and plant for 
those that are to occupy the earth when we are dead, for, 
to project our influence as far into the future and live 
beyond our time ; to rule as the kings of thought over men 
as yet unborn — is the true office of a Mason and the proud- 
est destiny of a man. To plant the tree that, after we are 
dead, shall shelter our children, is as natural as to love the 
shade of those our fathers planted. 

Let us ever be mindful of that equity and purity 
which should characterize one who is consecrated to truth, 
being not discouraged at men's apathy, nor disgusted with 
their follies, nor tired of their indifference ; caring not for 
returns or results, but seeing what there is to do, and doing 
it, leaving the result to God. 

We obey the dead, and thus shall the living when we 
are dead, for weal or woe, obey us. The thoughts of the 
past are the laws of the present or future ; that which we 
say or do, if its effects last not beyond our lives, is unim- 
portant. That which shall live when we are dead, is the 
only act worth doing, the only thought worth speaking ; 
the desire to do something that shall benefit the world, 
when neither praise nor obloquy can reach us ; when we 
sleep soundly in the grave — is the noblest ambition enter- 
tained by man, and is the aim of a true and genuine Mason. 



TWENTIETH DEGREE, 




G and Master of all Symbolic Lodges, or 
Master Ad Vitam. 



THE THREE STEPS. 




The three steps are particularly referred to in a Sym- 
bolic Lodge. They can be traced back as far at least as the 
middle of the last century, in the rituals where they are 
fully described. 

*• * * * 

The custom of advancing in a peculiar manner and 
form to some Sacred place or elevated personage, has been 
preserved in all countries, especially among the Orientalists. 



The steps of Masonry symbolically teach that the pass- 
age from the darkness and ignorance of this life is through 
Death to the light and knowledge of Eternal life. 



TWENTIETH DEGREE. 

GRAND MASTER OF ALL SYMBOLIC LODGES, OR MASTER 
AD VITAM. 

This degree teaches that the right to govern in a 
Lodge is not only that acquired by the formal selection, by 
the suffrages of the brethren, and a subsequent installation, 
but the power of Masonic intelligence attained by patient 
labor and the study of Masonic law, and of the true under- 
standing and ability to teach the tenets, doctrines and sym- 
bolic legends of the Order. Much important instruction of 
the true manner of conferring degrees in this Rite is 
given, and we are charged to preserve Masonry in its 
primitive purity. 

We are also informed that none of that class of Masons 
are wanted, who through idle curiosity, or for the sake of 
distinction, prefer their request. Or those, who having 
obtained the degrees, repose thereafter in contented indo- 
lence and indifference and are content to utter sentiments of 
approval, but press on others the performance of Ma- 
sonic duty, who spare their own purse, but are ready to 
draw liberal contributions on those of others for works of 
charity and the welfare of the order. There is no need, 
no room, no use for such Masons. 



118 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

Attention is called to three columns, known as 
Toleration, Justice and Truth. The first, Toleration, 
teaches that no man has the right to dictate to another 
in matters of belief or faith ; and when man persecutes 
for opinion's sake, he ursurps the prerogative of God. 
The second, Justice, teaches that man should judge others 
as he judges himself; find for their actions the excuses 
that he readily finds for his own ; and look always for a 
good rather than for a bad motive. 

The third, Truth, teaches that no falsehood can be 
other than evil ; it is the act of a coward to lie expressly or 
by implication, and it is base and dishonorable. God is 
perfect Truth, and every lie and concealment or misrepre- 
sentation is an offense against Him. 

We are enjoined to ever keep in mind these three requi- 
sites of a Master of a Lodge, and instructed that no one 
should accept the office of Master until thoroughly quali- 
fied by acquaintance and familiarity with the history, 
morals and philosophy of Masonry, which fit him to en- 
lighten and instruct his Brethren. The candidate is called 
upon to symbolically restore the splendor of the nine great 
lights in Masonry to the Lodge, which are Veneration, 
Charity, Generosity, Heroism, Honor, Patriotism, Justice, 
Toleration and Truth, thus sealing and perfecting his 
obligation as Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges. 

The Ancient and Accepted Kite has now become 



20° GRAND MASTER OF ALL SYMBOLIC LODGES. 119 

what Masonry at first was meant to be, a teacher of 
great truths inspired by an upright and enlightened, a firm 
and constant wisdom and an affectionate and liberal philan- 
thropy. 

It teaches the truth of none of the legends we recite. 
They are to us but parables and allegories, involving and 
enveloping Masonic instruction, and vehicles of interesting 
and useful information. They teach us wisdom and the 
folly of endeavoring to explain to ourselves that which we 
are not capable of understanding. 

Every one is at liberty to apply our symbols and em- 
blems as he thinks most consistent with truth and reason, 
and with his own faith; we give them such an interpreta- 
tion only as may be accepted by all. 

To honor the Deity, to regard all men as his Brethren 
and equally beloved by the Supreme Creator of the Uni- 
verse, and to make himself useful to society and to himself 
by his labor, are the teachings of Masonry to the initiate in 
all the degrees. 



Remember, whatever be our rank, if we wilfully err we 
have no claims upon a Brother or the Order either, in sus- 
taining us in that error — whatever may be its advantages — 
or in relieving us from its consequences. 



Yet fail not to ever bear in mind that a Brother is en- 
titled to the benefit of a doubt ; and without positive proof 
of wilful guilt, should receive our aid, comfort and support 
in sustaining him in his misfortune and in releasing him 
from his thrall. 



There is no greater grief than to remember days of joy, 
when misfortune is at hand. 



TWENTY-FIRST DEGREE, 




Noachite or Prussian Knight, 



ANCHOR AND ARK. 





i 'There is a necessary connection between an Anchor and 
a Ship, and hence the latter image has also been adopted as 
a symbol of the voyage of life ; but, unlike the Anchor, it 
was not confined to Christians, but was with the heathens 
also a favorite emblem of the close of Life." 



"The Ship is in Masonry substituted by the Ark. Thus, 
the Ark of Noah floating safe amid the deluge, in which all 
things else were overwhelmed, was an obvious symbol of the 
church of Christ." 



"The bark of St. Peter, tossed in the storm, and by the 
Kedeemer guided safe to land, was also considered as symbol- 
ical." 



TWEOTY-FIKST DEGKEE. 

NOACHITE OR PRUSSIAN KNIGHT. 

Bodies of this degree are styled Grand Chapters. The 
degree takes its name from the Patriarch Noah, who alone, 
with his family, was found worthy to be saved in the Ark 
when God destroyed mankind with the Deluge, — because 
the members strive to imitate his primeval justice and 
purity. 

The Knights of this order originally united themselves 
together in the times of the Crusades, when in consequence 
of the general disorder that prevailed all over Europe, and 
by reason of the multitude of estates and titles left to be dis- 
puted, wrong and violence went unrebuked. They became 
superior to the law. 

Composed at first of a few who had learned the- 
rules of justice from the teachings of the order, they ex- 
erted only a moral influence. Finding, however, that 
where their influence was most needed, mere advice 
and exhortation addressed to the rude Barons and haughty, 
rapacious Priesthood,had no effect, they assumed the power 
to enforce performance of their judgments, and through 
the common people and a multitude of the poorer Knights 
who had found the benefit of their protection, and who re- 
vered their justice, they secured a ready means of compell- 
ing obedience and inflicting punishment. 

Their persons were unknown. They met always at 
night when the moon was full ; and the more perfectly to 
remain unknown allowed no light but hers, because such 



124 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.'.EITE. 

was the ancient custom of the order, derived from the mys- 
teries of Ceres and the old worship of Isis. 

The candidate represents one who fought for the Cross 
in the Holy Land. While there a Count of Loegria and 
the Bishop of Vienne took possession of his property, 
claiming that they had purchased it ; but their deed was a 
forgery, and the object of the candidate in passing through 
the ceremonies is to recover his patrimony, and through the 
influence and action of the JSToacliite Knights bring to jus- 
tice the Bishop and the Count. 

These Chapters are no longer tribunals to try and pun- 
ish for offences committed without the limits of Masonry. 
They claim no jurisdiction except between their own 
members. 

The moral of the degree is, that it is our duty to 
judge of other men's motives and actions by the same rules 
with which we judge our own; to believe others equally 
as honest in their views as ourselves, and to find for the 
conduct of others the same excuses that we find for our 
own; for this alone is justice. Thus we prove our humility 
by our tolerance, which causes us to believe that our opin- 
ions are as likely to be erroneous as the opinions of others ; 
and that the Deity alone knows what is truth. In the 
heavenly host we admire the work of the Supreme Creator, 
and the universal laws of harmony and motion — the first 
two laws that emanated from God. 

And through harmony we endeavor to promote each 
other's welfare and happiness by the reciprocal intercourse 
of kind acts and generous deeds. 



TWENTY-SECOND DEGREE. 





Knight of The Royal Axe, or Prince of 
Libanus. 



THE ROYAL AXE. 




" The Axe is the great agent of civilization and im- 
provement. It is the troops armed with that weapon that 
have conquered barbarism." 



"The Axe is nobler than the sword; under its blows the 
primeval forests disappear and the husbandman displaces 
the wild hunter, and to the rude barbarism of the early ages 
succeed settled societies and laws, and all the arts that refine 
and elevate mankind." 



TWENTY-SECOND DEGEEE. 

KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL AXE, OR PRINCE OF LIBANUS. 

The bodies in this degree are styled Colleges in commem- 
oration of the Colleges of artificers established on Mount 
Libanus. The object held in view is to teach all men that 
labor is honorable and that we should strive to improve the 
condition of the toiling millions. We are all workmen in 
our several vocations, whether actual labor, preparing plans 
for the laborers, or studying the calculations of Philosophy, 
the advancement of civilization and knowledge, or the 
destruction of ignorance and barbarism. 

In the conferring of the degree it is impressed upon 
the mind of the candidate that birth, rank or official stand- 
ing in the lower bodies of Masonry, or in the highest places 
in the affairs of State, Church or Nation, are not sufficient 
recommendations on which to gain admission into these 
bodies, as no one can by our Constitutions be admitted to 
the high privileges of this grade unless he is willing to lay 
aside his insignia for a time and join the sons of labor. 

The symbolism teaches that by steady patience 
and persevering determination, the resolute man may 
overcome all obstacles, and that the teachings of our 
order, cut off the prejudices of ignorance and the absurdi- 
ties of superstition, and aid to polish and civilize mankind. 



128 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.*. RITE. 

Even as before the sturdy pioneer armed with the axe, the 
great trees of the forest fell to rise no more, so Masonry 
hews at those mighty upas-trees, intolerance, bigotry, super- 
stition, uncharitableness, and idleness, and lets in the light 
of truth and reason upon the human mind, which these 
vices have darkened for centuries. 

The Phoenicians were ever ready to aid the Is. 
raelites. The tie between them was the mysteries, Moses 
having recived them in Egypt. These mysteries mod- 
ified by Moses, Joshua and Solomon, to suit the genius of 
the Jewish people, became Masonry, as it was practiced 
at the building of the Temple, and as it has in part come 
down to us. The historical Mount Libanus furnished 
cedars of which to build Noah's Ark, and Mount Leb- 
anon for the Ark of the Covenant as well as Solomon's 
Temple ; and at a still later day they felled timbers on the 
same Mount to construct the second Temple. 

Solomon, whose wisdom gave him a true idea of the 
dignity of labor, built apalace on the Mountain, to which he 
often repaired to inspect the progress of the work. The 
names of the Patriarchs, who were the inspectors and con- 
ductors of the workmen at different periods, are preserved 
in our pass-words. 

The institution of colleges upon Mount Libanus was 
perpetuated by the Druses, from whom the Crusaders 
obtained a knowledge of this degree. 



TWENTY-THIRD DEGREE, 





-_ 







Chief of the Tabernacle 



THE TABERNACLE. 




"Within the Court, the Tabernacle was set. Over this 
Tabernacle was a tent." 



"No description of the shape of the tent was given, but 
in the East, and especially in Arabia, customs and fashions 
have not changed, and a tent is now what it was in the days 

of Moses." 



TWENTY-THIRD DEGREE. 

CHIEF OF THE TABEKNACLE. 

The Lodges are styled Courts. This degree is inti- 
mately connected with, and is preliminary to, that which 
immediately follows, called Prince of the Tabernacle. 

The form of the Tabernacle is distinctly denned, and 
the old sacerdotal ceremonies of the ancient temples are 
described and portrayed, with useful explanations and in- 
structions. 

The candidate is reminded how God hath visited those 
who have presumptuously intermeddled with holy things, 
without being duly qualified, and he is warned not to ap- 
proach our mysteries except with a pure heart, and a sin- 
cere desire to serve God and his fellowmen. 

It teaches him how insignificant is man, and how con- 
tinually he should humble himself before God, who knows 
his inmost thoughts ; that he must be obedient to his supe- 
riors, and be guided by the eye of Faith, believing that God 
is a spirit, the soul of the great Universe ; that all evil dei- 
ties and demons are but imaginary. When he is invested 
with the sign, token and word, he is accepted and received 
as a Levite and Chief of the Tabernacle, from which arises 
the name of this degree. 



132 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.'. RITE. 

The sacred and great universal number of the Master 
Mason (seven) is considered. 

The world, the Ancients believed, is governed by seven 
secondary causes ; and these are the universal forces desig- 
nated by Moses under the plural name Elohim, the Gods. 
The Hebrews called them the seven Great Archangles. 
The seven planets correspond with the seven colors of the 
prism, and the seven notes of the musical octave. 

We see in all this the sanctity and perpetuity of a 
single dogma continually reproduced in the universal sym- 
bolism of successive religious forms. We comprehend the 
permanent revelation transmitted to the soul of man by the 
harmonies of nature; and we do not see, as many have 
seen, a series of errors in this chain of ingenious images and 
eternal truths. 

Al, Bel, Chamosh, Osiris, and all the other gods of the 
heathen, are false idols and wholly unreal. There is but 
one God, infinite and incomprehensible. 

The world is not God but the work of God. The pow- 
ers of God, are not persons nor beings separate from Him, 
but his thoughts, immaterial as our thoughts and existing in 
Him as will, even as thought exists in our souls. We must 
trust in Him and in His goodness and mercy ; we must be 
sincere and true, humble and patient ; and in His good 
time we shall learn the meaning of the great mystery and 
riddle of existence. 



TWENTY-FOURTH DEGREE, 




Prince of*the Tabernacle, 



"All the phenomena of Nature depend on one single 
immutable law, represented by that symbolic form, the Cube, 
and this furnished the Jews with all the mysteries of the 
Divine tetragram." 



"The sun and moon in our lodges are the truth, and the 
reflection of the truth in doctrine." 



"Allegory, the mother of all dogmas, is the substitution 
of the impression for the seal, of the shadow for the reality. 
It is the falsehood of the truth, and the truth of the false- 
hood." 



TWENTY-FOURTH DEGREE. 

PRINCE OF THE TABERNACLE. 

The Assemblage in this grade is also called a Court. 

The degree of Prince of the Tabernacle illustrates the 
ceremonies of the Priests in the Ancient Temples, and ex- 
plains the esoteric meaning of their many avocations in 
equipping the Temple and sustaining their various sacerdotal 
duties. It is most intimately connected with, and should 
be considered a continuation of, the degree which immedi- 
ately precedes it. 

It teaches that the especial duty of a Prince of the 
Tabernacle is to labor incessantly for the glory of God, the 
honor of his country, and the happiness of his brethren ; to 
offer up thanks and prayers to the Deity in lieu of sacri- 
fices of flesh and blood, as was done in ancient times. 

The initiate possesses the lamp, the cloak and the staff. 
Symbolically, the lamp is reason enlightened by science ; the 
the cloak is liberty, or the full control of one's self ; and 
the staff the assistance of the occult and eternal forces 
of Nature. 

The lamp lights the past, the present and the future, 
which are the three sides of a triangle. It burns with a 
three-fold flame ; the cloak is in three folds, and the staff is 



136 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'. AND A.*. RITE. 

divided into three parts. This number, nine, is that of the 
Reflexes of the Deity. Hence it is sacred in Masonry. 

We are also taught that Reason has been given unto all 
men ; but all do not know how to use it ; Liberty is offered 
to all ; but all have not the power to be free. Force is 
within the reach of all men ; but all men do not know how 
to lean upon it. This plainly illustrates that it is our duty 
to study and labor to control ourselves in all respects by 
means of the power given us. 

We are instructed that in order to attain the science 
and power of the Magi, four things are indispensable : An 
intellect enlightened by study ; an audacity which nothing 
checks ; a will that nothing can conquer ; and a discretion 
that nothing can corrupt or intoxicate. 

We cannot expect to understand the beautiful lessons 
of Scottish Rite Masonry unless we study, listen and learn, 
and interpret the symbols for ourselves ; but we must be 
careful that we do not mistake the shadows for the reality. 

There is but one God, and we are warned against all 
idols. Our ancient taskmasters on the banks of the Nile 
mourn for Osiris. The Chaldeans lament for Bel, while far 
in India the Brahmans pray for the return of Cama, and in 
Persia the Magi predict the resurrection of Mithras. 
We, like our Ancient Masters, mourn Osiris, not as a god, 
but as a type of the good, the true, the beautiful. How 
shall his body be recovered from the embraces of the htm- 



24° PRINCE OF THE TABERNACLE. 137 

gry sea, and earth again be gladdened by his presence. 
The dead will rise again as the wheat grows from the grain, 
and all the world will then rejoice. 

Whenever a brother passes this degree we behold a 
new Prince of the Tabernacle to be instructed and pre- 
pared. 

The immortality of the soul cannot be proven by in- 
duction, nor demonstrated by the processes of logic, but 
only by faith and its own instinctive consciousness that it is. 
not material or dissoluble like the body. Science can no' 
more perform the functions of faith than faith can decide 
in matters of science. To believe and to know are two^ 
terms that can never be confounded. Science is absolutely 
impotent to decide whether we are right or wrong in be- 
lieving a dogma. Faith in itself considered as a physiolog- 
ical fact is evidently a necessity and a force. God can only 
be denned by Faith. Science can neither deny nor affirm 
that He exists. 

It is the duty of every Brother who has attained to this 
degree to endeavor to fulfill all his duties as a Prince of 
well-doers in this frail Tabernacle of life, that he may be 
raised on the great day of account, a shining monument of 
God's glory in the Tabernacle of eternity. 



il So much of the Truth as it is given to mortals to 
know, is within the reach of those alone whose intellects are 
unclouded by passion or excess. To attain it, to compre- 
hend the delicate distinctions of the thought in which the 
Truth is embodied, the intellect, like a keen instrument of 
the finest steel, must be able to dissect the thought, and dis- 
tinguish one from the other its invisible nerves." 



" Therefore it is that the Sages have always required of 
those who sought to scale the heights of philosophy, a pre- 
paratory discipline, of long continued temperance and self- 
restraint ; and fasting is enjoined as well as prayer." 



" If thy intellect is dull and coarse by nature or clouded 
and confused by indulgence, the symbolisms of the Order 
will have no meaning to thee ; and we shall address thee in 
a foreign tongue." 



"Thus it is that true Masonry has always been, and 
always must be, confined to a few ; since to the mass its 
truths are foolishness and valueless." 



TWENTY-FIFTH DEGREE 




Knight of the Brazen Serpent. 



"Some write their wrongs in marble ; He more just 

Stooped down serene and wrote them in the dust, — 

Trod under foot, the sport of every wind, 

Swept from the earth and blotted from his mind, 

There secret in the grave, he bade them lie, 

And grieved they could not 'scape the Almighty Eye." 



"Eye Natures walks, shoot folly as it flies, 
And catch the manners living as they rise ; 
Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, 
But vindicate the ways of God to man." 



"Say first, of God above, or man below, 

What can we reason, but from what we know." 



"Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate, 
All but the page prescribed, their present state." 



"Hope springs Eternal in the human breast: 
Man never is, but always to be blest, 
The soul uneasy and confined from home, 
Rests and expatiates in a life to come." 



TWENTY-FIFTH DEGKEE. 

KNIOHT OF THE BRAZEN SERPENT. 

This degree relates to the time when the camp of the 
Israelites was pitched at Punon, in Arabia, in the fortieth 
year of the wandering of the children of Israel in the 
desert. 

The duties of a Knight of the Brazen Serpent are : 
To purify the soul of its alloy of earthliness, that it may at 
length ascend to its eternal home beyond the stars ; and 
also to perpetuate the great truths enveloped in the sym- 
bols and allegories of v the ancient mysteries. 

The Israelites became weary of their sojourn in the 
desert, lost their faith in God and began praying to Anion 
and Astarte, Osiris and Isis, to deliver them from misery ; 
and as they called aloud on them the Lord sent fiery ser- 
pents among them, by whom much people hath died. 
Therefore the people came to Moses and said, " We have 
sinned, for all have spoken against the Lord ; and against 
thee ; pray unto the Lord that he take away the serpents 
from us ;" and Moses prayed for the people ; and the Lord 
said unto Moses, " Make thee a fiery serpent and set it 
upon a pole." " And Moses made a serpent of brass and 
put it upon a pole ; and it came to pass, that if a serpent 



142 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, 
he lived." On this circumstance the degree was founded. 

This again shows the danger we shall encounter if we 
depart from the belief in one true and ever-living God. 

This degree also teaches that life is a war, in which 
one must prove his soldiership, in order to rise in rank. 
He only is worthy of initiation in the profounder mysteries 
who has overcome the fear of death, and is ready to hazard 
his life when the welfare of his country or the interests of 
humanity require it ; and to die even an ignoble death, if 
thereby the people may be benefited. 

The first Sages who sought for the cause of causes saw 
good and evil in the world. They observed the shadow 
and the light ; they compared winter with spring, old age 
with youth, life with death, and said : " The first cause is 
beneficent and cruel. It gives life and destroys." 

"Are there, then, two contrary principles — a good and 
an evil?" No; the two principles of the universal equi- 
librium are not contrary to each other, though in apparent 
opposition ; for it is a single wisdom that opposes them one 
to the other. The good is on the right and the evil on the 
left ; but the Supreme good is above both and makes the 
evil subserve the triumph of the good, and the good serve 
for the reparation of the evil, wherefore this first cause has 
always revealed itself by the Cross, that central point of 



25° KNIGHT OF THE BRAZEN SERPENT. 143 

junction of the right angles of four infinite triangles ; the 
four-in-one of the Divine tetragram. 

The destiny of man is to make or create himself. He 
is and. must always be the child of his own works for time 
and eternity. The necessity of competition is imposed on 
all men ; but the number of those who succeed, is always 
small. In other words, men desirous of being somewhat. 
are numerous ; but men who excel are rare. The govern 
inent of the world, of right, belongs to the best ; and when 
any mechanism or usurpation whatever prevents it belong- 
ing to them in fact, a political or social inundation is the 
consequence. While from the same causes Masonry is 
brought into disrepute. 

Men who are masters of themselves easily make them- 
selves masters of others. The man who is truly a man ; 
whose actions are regulated by reason ; who aims at that 
only which is just and reasonable, and who imposes silence 
on his lusts and fears in order to listen to his reason alone, 
is a natural king and a spontaneous priest for the multi- 
tude. Let us all endeavor, then, to be masters of ourselves 
by the use of those faculties which have been given us, pre- 
paratory to the enjoyment of that eternal spring of light 
and happiness which God has promised, and for which we 
humbly but confidently hope. 



"Masonry is worship; but one in which all civilized 
men can unite. It trusts in God and hopes; it believes like a 
child and is humble/' 



"Masonry draws no sword to compel others to adopt its 
belief, or to be happy with its hopes and it waits with 
patience to understand the mysteries of nature hereafter." 



"The greatest mysteries in the universe are those which 
are ever going on around us; so trite and common to us that 
we never note them or reflect upon them." 



TWENTY-SIXTH DEGREE 




Prince of Mercy, or Scottish Trinitarian 



PILLARS OF THE PORCH, 




"The pillars most remarkable in Scripture history were 
the two erected by Solomon at the porch of the Temple. 
The one of these pillars he set at the entrance of the porch 
on the right hand and called it J. \ and the other at the left 
hand and called it B. •" 



It has been supposed that Solomon in erecting these 
pillars had reference to the pillar of cloud and the pillar of 
fire which went before the Israelites in the wilderness. 



TWENTY-SIXTH DEGREE. 

PRINCE OF MERCY, OR SCOTTISH TRINITARIAN. 

Bodies of this degree are styled Chapters, and instead 
of a gavel the presiding officer uses an arrow. 

It is a Christian degree, in its construction, and treats 
of the triple covenant of mercy which God made with man; 
first with Abraham, by circumcision ; next with the Israel- 
ites in the wilderness, by the intermediation of Moses ; 
and lastly with all mankind, by the death and suffering of 
Jesus Christ. It is in allusion to these three acts of mercy 
that the degree derives its two names of Scottish Trinita- 
rian and Prince of Mercy. 

The symbolic development of the number three con- 
stitutes a large part of its lecture, but the real dogma of 
the degree is the importance of Truth, and to this all of its 
ceremonies are directed. 

Reference is made to the mysteries and symbols of the 
first three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, completing 
the symbolism of the two pillars J.*, and B.\ which was left 
unfinished in those degrees, and also of the three columns 
of the Masonic Temple typified by K.\ S.\ H.\ K.\ of T.\ 
and H.\ A.*. These columns are symbols of the Wisdom, 
Strength and Beauty that express to the initiate the Chris- 
tian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As to the 



148 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A.*. RITE. 

Essenes, Kabilists and the Gnostics, they were symbolical of 
the internally abiding immanifested Wisdom of God. 

* * * * * 

In the early days of Christianity, there was an initia- 
tion like those of the Pagans. To arrive at a complete 
knowledge of the doctrine, they had to pass three degrees 
of instruction. The initiates were consequently divided 
into three classes ; the first, Auditors ; the second, Catechu- 
mens, and the third, the Faithful. 

In the grand mysteries of the Christian religion, the 
incarnation, nativity, passion, and resurrection of Christ, 
none were initiated but the faithful. 

These doctrines, and the celebration of the Holy sacra- 
ments, particularly the Eucharist, were kept with profound 
secrecy. 

To avoid persecution, they assembled in private places 
at night and guarded against the intrusion of false Brethren 
and the profane, who might cause their arrest. 

During the early persecutions they took refuge in the 
vast catacombs which stretched for miles in every direction 
under the city of "Rome. There, amid windings, deep cav- 
erns, hidden chambers, chapels and tombs, they found 
refuge and performed the ceremonies of the mysteries. 

This, then, is the history of the Masonic application 
of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, as made by the Christian 
Mason. 

In this, as in preceding degrees, the Brother is left 
to form his own conclusions as to the meaning of what we 



26° PRINCE OF MERCY. 149 

shadow forth as the secret discipline of the early Chris- 
tians. If he is a Christian, he will see in this degree a Chris- 
tian ceremony and will have the right to so interpret it. If 
he is not a Christian he will see in it a mere historical alle- 
gory, symbolizing great truths, acknowledged alike by all. 

No one can object if others see in the Word that was 
in the beginning with God, and that was God, only the 
logos of Plato and Philo, or the uttered thought or first 
emanation of light, or the reason of the great, silent uncre- 
ated Deity believed in and adored by all. "And the Word 
became incarnate and dwelt among men, and they beheld 
his glory, the glory of the first born of the Father." Thus 
said the ancient Christian Masons ; and they said also : 
"There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the 
Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one." 

In the dispensation of the fullness of times God will 
gather together in one all things in Christ ; for it pleased 
the Father that in Him should be the plentitude of all per- 
fection ; that by Him he should reconcile all things unto 
Himself. 

Thus in all ages the golden threads of Truth have 
gleamed in the woof of error. Fortunate the Mason, who, 
by the light of wisdom, the true Masonic light, second em- 
anation from the Deity, can discern the golden threads 
written when time began ; and read them aright as they 
were read by our ancient Brethren in the early ages. 



150 



TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.'.AND A. '.RITE. 



Fortunate the Mason, who, with firm faith and hope, 
accepts these struggling rays that gild the clouds as ample 
evidence that in God's good time his dawn of day will come 
and he eternal. 



THE PILLARS. 




Typefied by K.\S.\H.-.K/.T.\and H.-.A.-. 



TWENTY-SEVENTH DEGREE. 





Knight Commander of the Temple, 



THE JEWEL OF A KNIGHT COMMANDER OF 
THE TEMPLE. 




The jewel is a triangle of gold on which is enameled 
the word INRI. 



"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, 
and evil-speaking be put away from you with all malice/"' 



"Be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one 
another, that your Father which is in Heaven may forgive 
you." 



TWENTY-SEVENTH DEGREE. 

KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE TEMPLE. 

Bodies of this degree are styled Chapters. The order 
originated at the siege of St. Jean d' Acre, when tents 
were made for the sick and wounded from the sails of 
the ships; while they fought the infidel Saladin by day, 
and nursed the sick and wounded soldiers by night. 

The Knights engaged themselves to guard the city of 
Jerusalem against the Saracens ; to protect Christendom, to 
assist the feeble and oppressed and to defend the innocent. 

Their five excellent qualities were Humility, Tem- 
perance, Chastity, Generosity and Honor; and they practiced 
all the Masonic virtues. 

This is the first strictly chivalric degree of the Rite. 

Those who formerly entered this order consecrated 
themselves to the service of the sick and suffering, were 
constantly employed in works of mercy and the defence of 
the Christian faith. 

The German soldiers, whom none of the others under- 
stood, could not make known their sickness or their neces- 
sities; and certain German nobles who had arrived at Acre 
by sea, moved by the miseries of their countrymen, took 
the sails from their ships and made a large tent, in which 



154: TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A/.RITE. 

they placed the wounded Germans, and tended them with 
great kindness. Forty nobles of the same nation united 
with them and established a hospital in the midst of the 
camp, and this association soon became a military order. 

In 1192, Pope Celestin 3d, at the request of Emperor 
Henry 6th, solemnly approved of the order on the 23d of 
February, and at the Pope's order they adopted the black 
mantle. 

It is true, however, that they paid little regard to the 
Pope's mandate, and soon adopted the white mantle again, 
but it was not their primitive dress, and therefore we, in 
this degree, wear a different color. 

The sign in this degree is taken by the initiate in the 
name of God, for the increase of faith, the defence of the 
order, and the service of the poor. 

The cross is placed upon his breast that he may love it 
with all his heart, and that his right hand may ever fight 
in its defense and for its preservation, as the symbol of 
Knightly Masonry, and as a memorial to the Kedeemer of 
mankind. 



TWENTY-EIGHTH DEGREE 



fS> 





Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept. 



"Every man who is prepared to die rather than to 
abjure Truth and Justice, truly lives, for he is immortal in 
his soul." 



"The object of all the ancient initiations was to find such 
men; and such is the object of Masonry. If thou art or 
canst become such an one, thou wilt be worthy to be called 
Prince Adept, and Knight of the >Sun." 



"Nature is the primary, consistent and certain revela- 
tion or unveiling of G-od. It is His utterance, word and 
speech. Whether He speaks to us through a man must depend^ 
even at tirst, on human testimony and afterwards on hearsay 
or tradition. But in and by His work we know the Deity." 



TWENTY-EIGHTH DEGKEE. 

KNIGHT OF THE SUN, OR PRINCE ADEPT. 

Bodies of this degree are styled Councils. In these 
councils the initiate is taught that there is but one God, un- 
created, eternal, infinite and inaccessible; that the soul of 
man is immortal, and his existent life but a point in the 
center of eternity ; that harmony is in equilibrium, and 
equilibrium subsists by the analogy of contraries; that analogy 
is the key of all the secrets of Nature, and the sole reason 
of being of all revelations ; and, finally, that the absolute is 
reason, which exists through itself ; that evil, and wrong, 
and misery are the necessary discords that unite with the 
concords of the Universe to make one great harmony for- 
ever. 

One cannot be advanced into this degree of Masonry 
until he is prepared to receive instruction with humility ; 
to allow prejudices and wrong opinions to be overcome by 
reason, and to listen with reverence to the lessons of the 
ancient ages. It is necessary, also, to look with pitying sym- 
pathy on the diseases of the spirit and the intellect, as we do 
on those of the body, and not with hatred or anger, or a 
desire to punish or to persecute those who. through these 
inabilities to understand and comprehend, may fall into er- 
ror. 



158 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

Nature is revelation ; and the light of truth shines 
everywhere in the world. The want of faith, and the re- 
fusal to reason, of men, interposing, make the shadows ; 
they blindfold themselves, they are in love with their own 
ideas, and dread to lose them ; they fear new truths and are 
disposed to doubt everything at random rather than admit 
anything. Such men should not seek to learn the lessons of 
this degree. They will be useless and dangerous to them, 
they will not understand them and will therefore be troubled 
by them. 

If we prefer anything else in the world to Reason, Truth 
and Justice ; if our will is uncertain and wavering, if logic 
alarms us, and the naked truth makes us blush, we are not 
Prince Adepts. 

Science is preserved by silence and perpetuated by 
initiation ; it makes use of symbols, but for its transmission 
language is also indispensable ; wherefore the Sages must 
sometimes speak. But when they speak, they do so, not to 
disclose or to explain, but to lead others to seek for and 
find the truths of science and the meaning of the symbols. 

The magical dogma is one in three and three in one. 
What is above resembles or is equal to what is below, so, 
two things which resemble each other, and the word which 
expresses their resemblance, make three. 

In this the Christian will recognize the doctrine of the 






28° KNIGHT OF THE SUN. 159 

Trinity; yet men of all persuasions are left to interpret the 
meaning for themselves. 

Death is a phantom, which the ignorance and weakness 
of the multitude make horrible. 

Change is the evidence of movement, and movement 
reveals life alone. Even the body would not be decomposed 
if it were dead. All the atoms that compose it retain life, 
and move to free themselves. The spirit is not the first to 
be disengaged that it may live no longer. Can thought and 
love die, when the basest matter does not ? If change 
should be called death, we die and are born again every day; 
for every day our forms change. 

Faith has in all ages been the lever whereby to move 
the world, yet it is but a superstition and a folly, if it has 
not reason for its basis. Only by analogy with the known 
can we suppose that which we do not know. 

Thus, Faith is an aspiration and a desire. God, in giv- 
ing man reason, has given him the word ; and revelation, 
manifold in its forms, but one in its principle, is contained 
in its entirety in the universal word, the universe which is 
the utterance of God and the interpreter of the absolute 
reason. Faith, then, is nothing else than rational confidence 
in this unity of the reason and the universality of the word 
of God. 

The last victory a man can gain over death is to over- 
come the love of life, not through despair, but through a 



160 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

loftier hope, contained in Faith. Reason exists through it- 
self; it is because it is, and not because it is supposed. It is 
where nothing exists ; and nothing can exist without reason; 
folly, even, is not produced without reason. Reason is 
necessity, law, the rule of all liberty, the direction of every 
initiative. 

We cannot escape the conclusion that it is impossible 
for man to do anything not intended by the Deity. To hold 
that we can contravene His will is to deny His Omnipotence. 
We are thus forced to a belief in fatality or predestination; 
and yet our consciousness, which is higher evidence than 
logic, and reason, which tells us that otherwise God would 
be unjust, that is, would not be, concur in proving to us our 
free will or liberty. 

Nature is one great harmony, and of that harmony 
every human soul is a tone. From God it flows in never- 
ceasing circles, as light and splendor from His Sun. To 
Him the notes of that harmony return, and mingle with 
the mighty diapason of the spheres, and are immortal. 



TWENTY-NINTH DEGREE, 





Grand Ecossais of St. Andrew, or Patriarch 
of the Crusades, 



(( No man truly obeys the Masonic law who merely tol- 
erates those whose religious opinions are opposed to his own. 
Every man's opinions are his own private property, and the 
rights of all men to maintain each his own are perfectly 
equal. Merely to tolerate, to bear with an opposing opinion, 
is to assume it to be heretical, and assert the right to perse- 
cute if we would and claim our toleration as a merit." 



"To be of no church is dangerous Keligion, of which the 
rewards are distant and which is animated only by Faith and 
Hope, and will guide by degrees out of the mind unless it be 
invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated 
calls to worship and the salutary influence of example." 



TWENTY-NINTH DEGKEE. 

GRAND ECOSSAIS OF ST. ANDREW. 

The degree of Knight of St. Andrew is intended to 
inculcate equality, representing the poor Knight equal to 
the monarch, and exhibits the requisites of Knighthood- 
protection to the defenceless and innocent, the possession 
of virtue, patience and firmness; and represents the Knight 
as the exponent of truth, a man without fear and with- 
out reproach. The beautiful Masonic doctrine of toleration 
is also exemplified. 

The original occupation of this order was to rebuild the 
churches in the Holy Land, destroyed by the Saracens. 
The order is now devoted to active charity and prac- 
tical philanthrophy, especially inculcating toleration and 
discountenancing bitterness and strife. The candidate 
represents a Sir Knight of Tiberias, and although a captive, 
Knightly honor is shown him by his captors, who express a 
desire to learn from him something of the Institution of 
Knighthood. 

The information is given that the name of Knight, and 
gentle blood, entitle the possessor to place himself in the 
same rank with sovereigns of the first degree, so far as 
regards all but Kingly authority and dominion. If the 



164 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

greatest King were to wound the honor of the poores^ 
Knight, he could not by the law of chivalry refuse satis- 
faction by a single combat. The most humble of this order 
may aspire to mate with the proudest dame in Christendom, 
and he is free in all honorable service, to devote his hand 
and sword to the fame of his exploits, and the deep devo- 
tion of his heart, to the fairest Princess who ever wore a 
coronet. 

They are further informed, that in order to become 
Knights such as he, they must profess a belief in the one 
true and ever-living God, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. 
That they must wash both hands and face, which, with the 
ceremonies performed, is a symbol of that baptismal rite 
observed among all Eastern Nations, by way of purification, 
emblematical of that purity and inocence of soul, without 
which no one can enter into the order of Knighthood, nor 
into the pure abode of happiness above. 

The candidate for Knighthood is not only supposed to 
serve a long apprenticeship in arms, and to show himself 
valiant and daring, and above all base apprehension of 
death, but to pass through a long and rigid probation, to 
prove himself, for his virtue, temperance, faith, constancy 
and nobleness of heart, fit to be enrolled in the ranks of 
Chivalry. 

Masonry is the handmaid of religion. The Brahmin, 
the Jew, the Mohametan, the Protestant — each professing 



29° GRAND ECOSSAIS OF ST. ANDREW. 165 

his peculiar religion, sanctioned by the laws, by time, and 
by climate — may retain his faith, and yet be a Mason. 

Masonry has taught no doctrines except those truths 
that tend directly to the well-being of man. The natural form 
of Masonry is goodness, morality, living a true, just, affec- 
tionate, self -faithful life, from the motive of a good man. 
Though the ancient and honorable of earth bid the Mason 
bow down to them, his stubborn knee bends only at the 
bidding of his manly soul. His Masonry is his freedom 
before God, not his bondage unto men. 

E"o man is entitled positively to assert that he is right, 
where other men, equally intelligent and equally well in- 
formed, hold directly the opposite opinion. When such is 
the case, who shall decide which hath the truth ? We know 
not what is the truth, therefore no man hath, or ever had, 
a right to persecute another for his belief. The sincere Mos- 
lem has as much right to persecute us, as we have to perse- 
cute him, and therefore Masonry wisely requires no more 
than a belief in one great, all-powerful Deity, the Father 
and preserver of the Universe, and teaches its votaries that 
toleration is one of the chief duties of a Mason. The 
whole tenor of the life of the benevolent Founder of the 
Christian religion was unremitting benevolence; his kind 
offices were extended alike to Gentiles and Jews, to pub- 
licans and sinners, as well as to his disciples. Masonry 
however is eternally vigilant that no atheist or base liber- 



166 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A.'.RITE. 

tine contaminates with his unhallowed tread the Sanctum 
Sanctorum of our Temple. 

To that great judge, our noble order refers the matter, 
and, opening wide its portals, it invites to enter there, and 
live in peace, men of all creeds, who will lead a truely virtuous 
and moral life, love their brethren, minister to the sick and 
distressed, and believe in the one true and ever-living God, 
preserver of all things, by Whose universal law of Harmony 
ever rolls on this Universe; to Whose Ineffable name let all 
true Masons pay profoundest homage; for Whose thousand 
blessings poured upon us, let us feel the sincerest gratitude, 
now, henceforth, and forever. 



SIXTH SERIES. 




CH1VALRIC DEGREES. 
Thirtieth, Thirty-First and Thirty-Second 

" In all thy ways acknowledge Him." 



" Be firm, faithful and true unto death. 



" I arm you with this sword, Sir Knight, as a defence 
against your enemies and the enemies of the Order. May 
success attend you." 



"The painful warrior famoused for fight 
After a thousand victories, once foiled, 
Is from the books of honor razed quite, 
And all the rest forgot for which he toiled." 



SIXTH SERIES. 

The sixth series of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish 
Rite, contains three degrees, known as Chivalric, which are 
conferred in a Consistory. They are the Knight Kadosh, 
Grand Inquisitor Commander, and Sublime Prince of the 
Royal Secret, intimately connected and form the Templar 
degrees of the Ancient, and Accepted Rite. 

The labors of Masonry are well nigh ended, so far as 
instruction is concerned. The virtues of the Order are re- 
hearsed, and the reward for a due reverence of the obliga- 
tions, and a retention and observance of the vows and ten- 
ets of the Institution, is accorded. We now approach the 
Holy Empire, which signifies the attainment of the science 
and power of the Magi. 

The four words of the Magi are : to Know, to Dare, 
to Will, to be Silent, and are written in the four symbolic 
forms of the sphynx. 

The accomplishment of these degrees brings us to the 
completion of the third Temple ; and the Royal secret is 
solved, as to whether we have made this world a Temple fit 
for the abiding place of the Grand Architect of the Uni- 
verse. 

11 



170 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.KITE. 

It is sometimes asked, what good can we derive from 
the Superior degrees ? we might answer, that as to personal 
benefits, the opportunity to do good, to practice the Ma- 
sonic virtues, and enjoy the pleasures of fellowship and so- 
ciality within a limited sphere, the original working degrees 
of Ancient Craft Masonry will suffice; but to one who 
wishes to become fully accomplished in the Religious, Phil- 
osophic and Chivalric departments of our Order, as they 
were cultivated in the different ages of the world gone 
by, as well as at the present day, initiation into the higher 
degrees is earnestly recommended. 

He only will be competent to appreciate the honors 
and privileges attached to them who possesses the disposi- 
tion and ability to study the deeper and higher mysteries, 
and will not rest satisfied until he has discovered a satis- 
factory solution to every Masonic problem, and who has a 
laudable ambition to participate in the most exalted sphere 
witli congenial associates in that communion and Fratern- 
ization which Genuine Sublime Freemasonry is peculiarly 
calculated to afford. 



THIRTIETH DEGREE, 





Knight Kadosh 



PRAYER OF JAQUES DE MOLAY, JUST PRIOR 
TO HIS EXECUTION. 

"0 God, permit us to meditate on the pains that Jesus 
suffered, that we might be redeemed ; and enable us to imi- 
tate the example of endurance which He gave when He sub- 
mitted, without a murmur, to the persecutions and torments 
which bigotry and injustice had prepared for Him." 



"Forgive, God, those false accusers who have caused 
the entire destruction of the Order whereof Thy Providence 
has made me the head. And if it please Thee to accept the 
prayer which we now offer, grant that the day may come 
when the world, now deceived, may better know those who 
have sought to live for Thee." 



"We trust to Thy goodness and mercy to compensate us 
for the tortures and death which we are now to suffer ; and 
that we may enjoy Thy Divine presence in the Mansions of 
happiness." 



THIRTIETH DEGKEE. 

KNIGHT KADOSH. 

In this degree a Knight and Soldier of the Cross 
proves himself a true defender of the Temple of the Most 
High God ; and while armed with steel outwardly, he is 
inwardly armed with Faith and Love, Faith in God and 
Love to his fellow-man. 

It is taught that " All things whatsoever ye would that 
men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." Be 
not selfish in the noblest things, standing coldly aloof from 
the unlearned and the unknown. Be not afraid of that 
which will injure thee in others' eyes, and heedless of the 
sin that throbs in thy soul, in hatred, jealousies and re- 
venge. 

We cannot hope to know the last mysteries of the or- 
der unless we unreservedly devote ourselves to the pursuit 
of wisdom, and reverence and adore Him who is the All-wise 
Creator. We must feel that we possess the virtues which 
characterize the Sage before we can be permitted to partici- 
pate in the mysteries of the Temple of Wisdom. 

The lesson is inculcated that we should never enter 
rashly or hurriedly into anything we do not understand, 
as we are liable to assume a fearful responsibility unawares. 
But to carefully consider before taking each step ; so that 
when thrown upon our own resources, we shall not falter, 
nor our courage fail sufficiently to make us retrace our 
steps and lose all ; for, " He who shall overcome the fear of 



174 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A. '.RITE. 

death, shall come safely out of the bowels of the earth, and 
have the right to initiation into the greater mysteries." 
" But he who enters and does not pass through, it were 
better that he had never been born." 

It is true that labor is necessary for man in every walk 
of life, in order to attain the object in view. It is particu- 
larly so for a Knight Kadosh, who should not rest so long 
as the welfare of humanity is not definitely secured. 

The virtues springing from the love of God and love 
of our neighbor, constitute the ne plus ultra of Masonic 
and Knightly perfection. They prompt us to protect and 
assist the poor, the weak, the injured, the needy, and the 
oppressed, and to never betray our trust by deserting the 
banner of the Temple ; for it has been, and when truly in- 
terpreted, will continue to be, the glorious emblem of civil 
and religious liberty. Our trust and confidence is in the 
God of Battles, and the battle-cry of our order is, " God 
and the Eight." 

We, as Knights Kadosh, go forth to combat for the 
right, and while fighting in this cause we count on a 
glorious victory, or an honorable death; but should we fail 
in our duties as Knights of the Temple we can hope for no 
favor at their hands. But by wielding our swords in the 
defense of pom* pilgrims, and of innocence and virtue, we 
hope to be found worthy of advancement into the Grand 
Masonic Army of the Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 
the thirty -second grade, and to receive the blessing of Jesus, 
who suffered that we might be redeemed, and finally to en- 
joy the Divine presence of the Great Ruler of the Universe 
in the Mansions of happiness. 



THIRTY-FIRST DEGREE. 





Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commander, 



"Love thyself last ; cherish those hearts that hate thee ; 

Corruption Avins not more than honesty. 

Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 

To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not ; 

Let all the ends thou aimst at be thy Country's, 

Thy God's and truths ; then if thou fall'st 

Thou fall'st a blessed martyr." 



"For forms of government let fools contest ; 
Whate'er is best administer'd is best. 
For modes of faith let graceless Zealots fight ; 
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right. 
In faith and hope the world will disagree." 
But all mankind's concern is charity. 



u What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted ! 
Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just, 
And he but naked, though locked up in steel, 
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted." 



THIETY-FIEST DEGEEE. 

GRAND INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER. 

This degree is the judicial organization of the order. 
In the ceremony the candidate is subjected to a thorough 
examination under charges against Masonic law and duty 
before the order of the Five Brethren. He is taught to be- 
ware and bide his time patiently, and not rashly attempt to 
attain honors to which he may erroneously think himself 
entitled, as honors in this order can only be acquired by 
great labor and sacrifice. He however solicits the honor of 
being admitted among the number of the Grand Inspectors 
Inquisitors Commanders, or Free Judges. He is informed 
that there is but one Infallible, Unerring Judge, and that 
all human judgment is at best uncertain, and serious in 
its consequences. 

It must often, when time develops its errors, pro- 
duce regret and sometimes remorse. It is not wise to 
seek to judge our fellow-man, it is a stern duty and 
an unwelcome task to be performed, and not a privilege to 
be coveted, and woe unto that man who assumes the prerog- 
ative of judgment and to some extent usurps the functions 
of God, not being himself just, upright and impartial. 



178 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A.*. AND A. '.RITE. 

While the Knight Kaclosh is passing through the 
ceremony, lie hears the wise sayings of the just King 
Alfred, of Saxon, England, who framed wise laws, made up- 
right judges, independent of his will and that of the people, 
caused just and speedy judgment to be given, and warned 
the people to follow his example or shudder to sit in judg- 
ment on their fellows. 

He hears also of Socrates the Athenian, who knew the 
Holy mysteries and reverenced God in Nature. In the sacred 
groves of Athens he taught to young and old that God was 
one and the soul of man immortal, and warned them that if 
they would become judges of others they should first pre- 
pare themselves by learning to obey the laws themselves. 

The next was Confucius, who read and interpreted to 
the people of Ancient China the great laws engraved by 
the finger of God in everlasting letters, upon the pages of 
the many-leaved book of Nature. Justice is Equity, and 
equity is to render to every man that to which he is entitled. 
He, who would stand above the ordinary level of man must 
be exempt from prejudices and self-conceit and obstinacy, 
and be governed by the mandates of justice alone. 

Let doubt of guilt be acquitted ; and presumption of 
innocence be solid proof. Do thou strive to live and act, 
to obey and govern, and thou, too, mayest live in the good 
opinion of men after thou art dead, and thine influence 
may make thee, too, a King over the minds of men. 



31° INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER. 179 

Minos, the law-giver of Crete, taught the Cretans that 
the laws which he enacted by Zeus the Father, like all true 
and righteous laws, and all human justice, are but develop- 
ments of that eternal and infinite justice that is of the es- 
sence of the Deity. Woe unto thee if, being thyself vicious 
or criminal, thou dost assume to judge others. 

It was Zoroaster whose words became law to the Per- 
sians, and who said : "He alone is just who is charitable and 
merciful in his judgments, and he alone is wise who thinks 
well and not evil of other men. Study, therefore, the domin- 
ion of thyself and quiet thine own commotions." 

Moses was the law-giver of the Israelites. He was 
initiated into the mysteries and wisdom of Ancient Egypt, 
and that wisdom dictated the statutes by which Israel was 
governed. He said : "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in 
judgment; ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye 
shall not fear the face of man, for judgment is of God." 

The candidate is then called upon to behold the mono- 
gram of the greatest Law-giver that has ever come among 
men, and to listen reverentially to his teachings : 

" If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will 
your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. But if ye 
forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also 
forgive you." 

"With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged." 



180 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

" If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he 
repent, forgive him." 

Thus have been recited the lessons of immortal wisdom 
once uttered by mortal lips that have long since been 
silent ; through those lips God spake unto men, and of 
Him alone cometh all wisdom. Let us not suffer the principles 
of this degree to be sullied or dimmed by injustice, inhu- 
manity, or impurity. 




THIRTY-SECOND DEGREE 




Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. 



MASONIC CAMP. 




A Masonic Camp is a nonagon, enclosing a heptagon, 
which encloses a pentagon, and that an equilateral triangle 
and that again a circle. "Within the circle is a Saint An- 
drew's Cross. 



THIKTY-SECOJSTD DEGKEE. 

SUBLIME PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET. 

This degree is the military organization of the order. 
The candidate is supposed to enter a camp, which is a non- 
agon enclosing a heptagon, which incloses a pentagon, and 
that an equilateral triangle, and that again a circle, the ex- 
ternal lines of which form a figure in Geometry, and on 
each side of this figure is a tent with a flag and pennon, 
each of a different color from the others ; and each tent is 
designated by a letter. Each represents an entire camp, 
and the several sides of the nonagon are assigned by our 
rituals to the Masons of the different degrees from the 1st 
to the 18th, as follows : 

I.*. Flag and pennon blue. That tent indicates the 
camp of the Apprentices, the Fellow-Crafts, and Masters of 
Symbolic Masonry, and Volunteers, 1st, 2d and 3d degrees. 
The Commander, Ezra. 

N.\ Flag and pennon green. That tent indicates the 
camp of Secret Masters and Perfect Masters, 4th and 5th 
degrees. The Commander, Joshua. 

0.\ Flag and pennon red and green. That tent in- 
dicates the camp of the Intimate Secretaries and Provost 
and Judges, 6th and 7th degrees. The Commander, 
Aholiab. 



184 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. ".KITE. 

N.\ Flag and pennon red and black, in lozenges. 
That tent indicates the camp of the Intendants of the 
Building, 8th degree. The Commander, Jehoida. 

X.\ Flag and pennon black. That tent indicates the 
camp of the Knights-Elect of Nine, Elect of Fifteen and 
Sublime Knights Elected, 9th, 10th and 11th degrees. The 
Commander, Paleg. 

I.-. Flag and pennon black and red. That tent in- 
dicates the camp of the Grand Master Architects and 
Knights of the Poyal Arch, 12th and 13th degrees. The 
Commander, Joabert. 

L.\ Flag and pennon red. That tent indicates the 
camp of the Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Masons, 
14th degree. The Commander, Nehemiah. 

A.'. Flag and pennon light green. That tent indicates 
the camp of the Knights of the East, or Sword and Princes 
of Jerusalem, 15th and 16th degrees. The Commander, 
Zerubbabel. 

S.\ Flag and pennon white, sprinkled lightly with 
crimson. That tent indicates the camp of the Knights of 
the East and West and Knights of the Pose Croix, 17th and 
18th degrees, The Commander, Malachi. 

On each of the external sides of the pentagon is a 
standard, each designated by a letter, and each supposed to 
indicate the camp of a corps of Masons occupying a side of 
the pentagon, viz : 



32° SUBLIME PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET. 185 

U.\ Field gold ; on it is a black ox. Motto at the 
base " Omnia tempus Alit " (Time gives growth and 
strength to all things.) Around this standard are stationed 
the Grand Pontiffs and the Masters Ad Vitam, 19th and 
20th degrees. Standard Bearer, Amariah. 

G.\ Field green ; on it is a black eagle, with two 
heads, with an imperial crown of gold resting on both 
heads, holding in his dexter claw a sword point in base ; 
and in his sinister claw a bloody heart. Motto at the base, 
" Corde Oladio Potens" (Mighty of heart and with the 
sword.) Around this standard are stationed the Knights 
Noachite or Prussian Knights and the Princes of Libanus, 
21st and 22d degrees. Standard Bearer, Garrimont. 

N.\ Field silver; on it is a naming heart, with black 
wings, with a crown of laurel thereon. Motto at the 
base, " Ardens Gloria Surgit" (Inflamed with glory it 
ascends.) Around this standard are stationed the Chiefs 
of the Tabernacle and the Knights of the Brazen Serpent, 
the Princes of the Tabernacle, 23d, 24th and 25th degrees. 
Standard Bearer, Mali-Shim. 

E.\ Field blue ; on it is a golden lion, holding in his 
mouth a key of gold, and a gold collar around his neck, 
with the figures 525 on the collar. Motto at the base, 
" Gustos Arcans" (Keeper of the Secret), and in some 
rituals, " Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (To the greater glory 



186 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A '.AND A.*. RITE. 

of God.) The latter is the motto of the Jesuits. Around 
this standard are stationed the Princes of Mercy, the 
Commanders of the Temple, and the Knights of the Sun, 
26th, 27th and 28th degrees. Standard Bearer, Aholiab. 

T.\ Field purple ; on it the Ark of the Covenant in 
gold, between two green palm-trees or two lighted candle- 
sticks of gold, motto at the base, " Laus Deo" (Praise be to 
God.) Around this standard are stationed the Grand 
Scottish Knights of Saint Andrew and the Knights Kadosh, 
29th and 30th degrees. Standard Bearer, Bezaleel. 

At the angles of and inside the triangle are supposed 
to be encamped the Grand Inspectors Inquisitors Command- 
ers, and the Princes of the Poyal Secret, with such 
Knights of Malta as, having proved themselves true and 
faithful, may have been received among them. 

During the ceremonies of the degree, the necessary 
explanation of the external features of the camp are given, 
and the candidate's memory is briefly refreshed as to the 
characteristics of the several grades, whose standards float 
over the camp, to aid him in understanding the meaning of 
the whole. 

The first degree shows us man, such as nature has made 
him, with no other resources than his physical strength. 

The second degree teaches the necessity and holiness 
of labor, and consequently of knowledge. 

The third degree teaches us that our unavoidable des- 



32° SUBLIME PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET. 187 

tiny is death, but at the same time, in the ceremony and in 
the very name of Hiram, it shadows forth the great doc- 
trine of another life and the immortality of the soul. 

The fourth grade teaches secrecy, or silence ; the exist- 
ence of one God and the relations existing between man 
and his heavenly Father. 

The fifth grade teaches us the love of God for the hu- 
man race, and the magnitude of the Divine Attributes, and 
that we should pay due respect to the memory of a deceased 
brother. 

The sixth grade teaches that we should not offend a 
brother by prying into his secrets unnecessarily, and the 
criminality of eaves-dropping. 

The seventh grade teaches justice, as the necessary 
consequence of the relations between God and man, and 
that we should render justice to all men. 

The eighth grade teaches the necessity of order in all 
of our works, and that we should apply ourselves with zeal 
and energy to whatever work may be allotted us in the 
Temple. 

The ninth grade teaches us that no one has the right 
to take the law into his own hands and that true Masonry 
discountenances all acts of violence. 

The ninth, tenth and eleventh are symbolic and alle- 
gorical ; they show that our Grand Master Hiram was the 
symbol of Truth and rational liberty, physical, intellectual 



188 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.RITE. 

and spiritual, and that by his enemies were symbolized 
ignorance, falsehood and superstition. 

The twelfth grade teaches that by labor alone we can 
attain happiness for our fellow-beings and ourselves. 

The thirteenth grade teaches us to redouble our zeal in 
the cause of Freemasonry, charity, and friendship toward 
our Brethren. 

In the fourteenth grade we received the reward of our 
labors, and were taught that God was no longer to be 
feared, but to be loved with all our hearts, minds, souls and 
strength. 

The fifteenth grade teaches hope and faith in the new 
era. 

The sixteenth grade teaches us to endeavor to reconcile 
all differences and disputes between our Brethren ; to be 
courteous to all men and to lead an honest and irreproach- 
able life. 

The seventeenth grade teaches the doctrines which 
John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, wandering in 
the desert in darkness, and waiting anxiously for the prom- 
ised Light. 

In the eighteenth grade, Truth burst upon us in all its 
glorious effulgence. The three Pillars, Wisdom, Strength 
and Beauty, of the symbolic degrees, were changed to Faith, 
Hope and Charity, and the new law was promulgated, 
" Peace on earth, good will towards men." 



32° SUBLIME PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET. 189 

The nineteenth grade teaches that as true apostles of 
truth and rational liberty, we should endeavor to enlighten 
our less informed Brethren. 

The twentieth grade teaches us how to govern and pre- 
side over our Brethren when it shall please them to select 
us to do so. 

The twenty -first grade teaches us to give just and up- 
right judgment, to look upon our Brothers' deeds with 
charity, and weigh impartially their statements, to be mer- 
ciful and compassionate. 

The twenty-second grade teaches us to disseminate the 
blessings of education. 

The twenty-third and twenty-fourth grades refer espe- 
cially to the form of service, furniture, dress, etc., etc., in 
K.\ &-. T.-. 

The twenty-fifth grade is founded upon an incident in 
sacred history. The substance of its teaching is, that we 
should not lose our faith in God, even in the darkest hour 
of adversity. 

The twenty-sixth grade is philosophical and inculcates 
the purest morality. The grand symbolic idea taught is 
the mystic power expressed in the triune numbers. 

The twenty-seventh degree relates almost exclusively 
to the history and doctrines of the Templars. 

The grand idea taught in the twenty-eighth degree is 
Truth, the great central sun of the Masonic system. 



190 TEXT-BOOK OF THE A. '.AND A. '.KITE. 

The twenty-ninth grade is founded on the Chivalric 
Masonry of the Crusades, and gives a history of the events 
which led to the union of the Chivalric Orders with Free- 
masonry. In the ceremony the candidate's faith is tested, 
and he is taught the important lesson of devotion and fidel- 
ity to his trust. 

The succession of our grades and the intermingling or 
parallelism of those which are Chivalric with those which 
are Philosophical, shows us that Masonry is practical, and 
requires that a practical use should be made of Philosoph- 
ical speculations. None of its lessons are without value. 
Everywhere it teaches us that the duties of life are to be 
done, and that we are to do them, everywhere making way 
with the errors that infest the world and supplying their 
place with truths radiant from heaven. 




THIRTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE, 



Sovereign Grand Inspector General. 



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THIKTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE. 

SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL. 

The Assembly is styled a Supreme Council, only one of 
which is allowed in any country, except the United States, 
where there are two — one in the Northern and one in the 
southern Jurisdictions. The Northern, of which this district 
is a part, is composed of the following states : 

Maine, New Jersey, 

New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, 

Vermont, Ohio, 

Massachusetts, Illinois, 

Rhode Island, Indiana, 

Connecticut, Michigan, 

New York, Wisconsin. 

" The Thirty-third degree, or Inspector General, being 
mainly executive in its character, and but seldom conferred, 
it is not deemed essential or for the benefit of the Brethren 
generally to introduce any portion of its lectures here. 

It is conferred as an Honorarium on those who for 
great merit and long and arduous services deserve well of 
the order." 



